One of the most basic spiritual disciplines is meditating on the Word of God. “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day,” in Psalm 119:97. An unnamed psalmist wrote, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:1-2).
Journaling – putting your thoughts down on paper – is another way to meditate. You have to take the time to think about not only what you’re going to write, but what the Word says. There are all sorts of ways to journal. The “best” way is the one that works for you.
In my own devotions, as an example, I combine journaling and meditation with Bible study. I usually read at least one chapter of Scripture (I’m reading Hebrews now). I write a summary statement for the chapter, and then a brief explanation/outline of each section. After that, I pick what I call a “significant verse” and write it out with an explanation of why it stood out.
Here’s an example from my journal:
Deut. 4 — Moses instructs the people of Israel
4:1-14 about their duty to obey God fully.
4:15-31 to avoid idolatry.
4:32-40 to remember that the Lord alone is God (there is no other).
4:41-43 by setting apart cities of refuge.
4:44-49 by introducing the reputation of God’s law.
Significant verse: 4:9 — “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children.” We are continually exhorted to remember – and not forget – what the Lord has done and who He is. It’s easy for me to forget and go through long portions of the day with little thought of God or His blessings. He commanded the Israelites, and us, to “take care” and not let that happen. One of the ways we can do that, it seems, is to teach the things of God to the next generation. Lord, help me not to forget.
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