A Lifestyle of Meditation
Psalms 1:1-3; 119:11-16; Mark 1:35-39
Why is God showing you this lesson now?
As a branch connected to the Vine, the Vinedresser is working on you right now! The discipline of meditation is important to the Vinedresser because it results in the bearing of spiritual fruit (Psalm 1:3). But in this frenzied world, it is a challenge just to find time to actually meditate on the things of God.
Let’s be clear about what we mean when we use the word “meditate.” We are not referring to the practices of many Eastern religions, where the focus is often on “emptying the mind.” Christian meditation is about “filling the mind” with God’s truth, tempered with sound doctrine.
How does this lesson connect to what God is doing in and around you?
Satan has a game plan (“devices”) when it comes to hindering the believer from meditating on God’s Word or from spending time in prayer. You will want to recognize and rebuke him when he runs the following “plays.”
— The devil will provide excuses. “You’re too busy for this.” “You will please God more by your good works than by your meditations.”
– The devil will provide interruptions and distractions. Pressure of responsibilities, health, family-related matters, telephone, computer.
– The devil provides discouragement. “You’re not getting anywhere with this.” “This is a waste of time.”
– The devil provides a casual attitude. “You already know more than most people.” “A little dab will do you.”
Jesus showed a sincere desire to be alone with the Father, with regard to time and place (Mark 1:35; 6:45-46; Luke 5:16; 6:12). Some people are morning people, others are night people. The important thing is to be intentional in making time to be alone with God. This may require sacrificing something else. So be it!
W. Graham Scroggie said, “There’s time for business, time for pleasure, time for social and Christian service, but no time for that exercise which would give to all these, and other things, power and effect. The simple fact is, we must find time for prayer, or we shall perish.”
You are already in living union with the Vine. Allow His thoughts, His desires, His purposes, His priorities, and His affections to flow into the branch!
Rick Astle– Lessons by Rick Astle, director of missions for Waccamaw Baptist Association. Astle is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and Southern Seminary. He is the author of two books and lives in Conway.