[8] “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” — Joshua 1:8 NKJV
Meditation is the art of looking intently into something with your mind. It’s so powerful that it helps you to get a deep understanding of something you’ve seen or been taught. That is why God says we should meditate in the Word as His children. He knows we’ll not get an accurate understanding of what’s written therein unless we meditate.
However, there’s something interesting I saw when I took a deeper look at Joshua 1:8. The scripture says, “… but you shall meditate in it day and night …”. It doesn’t say, “Meditate on it.” What’s the difference?
When I look on something, it means I’m viewing it from an external perspective with my understanding and interpretation. But when I look into that same thing, I’m focused on seeing what’s inherent in that thing for a deeper understanding of the manufacturer’s intent.
Avoid having a preconceived understanding of the Word when you open it to study it.
Some people like operating devices they purchase without reading the manufacturer’s manual. That’s why people have problems identifying the specific purpose of whatever they have. Unfortunately, some of us are applying it indirectly to God’s Word.
Many people meditate on the Word rather than meditating in it. In other words, some people interpret Scripture based on their understanding and not what the Spirit of God, the author of the Bible (see 2 Timothy 3:16), is teaching them revelatory-wise. A wrong understanding of scripture leads to wrong believing, which further leads to a wrong way of living.
Dear pastor/preacher/Christian/reader, avoid having a preconceived understanding of the Word when you open it to study it. You’ll lock yourself up from receiving fresh divine revelation. God never runs short of teaching new things to people who avail themselves to hear from Him. Become a part of those people today!
Prayer:
Father, thank You for teaching me to meditate in the Word. Place the urge in my heart to encounter fresh revelation whenever I study scripture, in the name of Jesus. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2023 – 251
Also Read: How To Build Consistency In Practising Personal Bible Study
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