Bible Study - Traveled - A Lifestyle of Meditation - Psalm 119, Mark 1, Psalm 1 - January 30, 2011

Bible Study – Traveled – A Lifestyle of Meditation – January 30, 2011

This is our final lesson in our series “The Roads Less Traveled.”
Our scripture is Psalm 119:11-16; Mark 1:35-39; Psalm 1:1-3.


Our final road less traveled is meditation. What is meditation? We think of monks, nuns and Buddhist priests meditating. Many Eastern religions practice meditation. Some self-help programs involve meditation but what about Christian meditation? Many of us may have meditated because of a crisis we were facing and we were seeking an answer from GOD for our situation. Some Christians meditate on GOD’S Word because it brings comfort, helps them to keep focused on GOD to fill their minds with HIS Word to crowd out unwanted thoughts. Some meditate on GOD’S Word to seek truth at a deeper Spiritual level.


So why study meditation on the heels of unity, humility, service and sacrifice? Living the Christian life is about relationship with our SAVIOR and LORD JESUS CHRIST. Our previous lessons have been about our activity in the living body of CHRIST. Often Christians can become so busy that they neglect the most vital part of their Spiritual growth, which is staying connected to their source of Spiritual vitality, CHRIST. Setting aside a time to meditate on GOD’S Word and communicating with GOD is vital. Listening is as vital as speaking. When we meditate we can probe and ponder the depths of Spiritual matters with GOD. GOD will respond in the place within us which is the “eyes of our heart.”


The Apostle Paul mentions this is his letter to the Ephesians in Chapter 1, verse 18:


17 [I pray]* that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,[14] would give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 [I pray]* that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the glorious riches of His inheritance among the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength.


Often self-help programs want you to empty your minds. The question is then what do you fill your mind with? Christians need to fill their minds with GOD’S truth which comes from HIS Word. Let’s explore.


Let’s read Psalm 119:11-16:
11 I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. 12 LORD, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes. 13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth. 14 I rejoice in the way [revealed by]* Your decrees as much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways. 16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.


We usually think of David when we read the Psalms but Bible scholars are not certain who wrote Psalm 119. Some think it was written by Ezra the priest after the temple was rebuilt. Psalm 119 is the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It has twenty-two (22) stanzas of eight (8) verses each. It is an acrostic poem. The Hebrew alphabet has twenty-two (22) letters in it. The writer used each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in sequence to begin each stanza, thus using all 22 letters. The psalmist expressed the importance of GOD’S Word in helping us to keep pure and to help us grow in faith and confidence in GOD.


Verses 11-16 indicate the theme of Psalm 119.


The psalmist use of the word “treasured” in verse 11 is so beautiful to me. When we treasure something, what does that mean? When we treasure something we take care of it, we place it in a secure place and we hide it for safe keeping to be used for a purpose. Those of us who are either retired or approaching retirement have something set aside for our golden years. Some of us may not have as much as we had planned for because we did not place it in as a secure place as we thought we had. The psalmist tells us that GOD’S Word is a valuable treasure and the most secure for us to place it is in our hearts.


Why our heart? Because GOD’S Word has a purpose and that purpose is for those who treasure it not to sin against GOD. Storing GOD’S Word in our hearts is more than memorizing it. We can memorize and recite words but in order for GOD’S Word to be treasure we must know the value in HIS Word. Memorization is important but we must internalize HIS Word by meditating on it and understanding how it applies to our lives as we obediently serve HIM and not sin against HIM.


Treasuring GOD’S Word in our hearts helps us build a dynamic relationship with GOD through CHRIST. We praise HIM for HIS love for us because HE allowed JESUS to come to earth to give HIS life for those who believe in HIM to have life eternal.


The psalmist asked GOD to teach him HIS statutes. The word “statutes” means “to engrave.” It carries the idea of permanence. Just think how GOD’S Word, as recorded in the book we call the Bible, has stood the test of time. We rejoice in reading GOD’S Word seeing HIS hand at work in the lives of HIS people and the nation of Israel. How we see the revelation of CHRIST from Genesis to Revelation on an ever ascending scale. We see how HIS Word is as relevant today as the day it was written. We see how HIS Word meets the needs in our lives in whatever circumstance we face. We see how the treasure we have hidden in our hearts is more valuable than physical silver, gold, precious stones or vast riches (v. 14).


The psalmist says that he will meditate or go over it in his mind. The Hebrew word “meditate” means “to make a low sound” and another word used in conjunction with it means “to go over a matter on one’s mind.” When you put these two thoughts together you get “meditation.” Sometimes as we ponder a matter we utter the things we are considering. We are verbalizing what we are thinking. When we do we hear what we are saying. Often it leads us to a better understanding or processing of a matter. It helps us to internalize what we are considering or probing.


Psalm 19:14 is scripture many of us have memorized:
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.


In verses 15 and 16 of Psalm 119, the psalmist declares to the LORD that he will – Meditate – Think (Ponder) – Delight – on/in GOD’S law and commands as given in HIS Word and as internalized in his heart as the result of communing with HIM. This is not a blind following but a following based upon a heartfelt and motivated partnership.


As a result of the psalmist’ due diligence, he will not forget the true meaning of HIS Word because it is proven to be true and trustworthy.


Let’s read Mark 1:35-39:
Preaching in Galilee
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He got up, went out, and made His way to a deserted place. And He was praying there. 36 Simon and his companions went searching for Him. 37 They found Him and said, “Everyone’s looking for You!” 38 And He said to them, “Let’s go on to the neighboring villages so that I may preach there too. This is why I have come.” 39 So He went into all of Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.


JESUS was preaching, healing and casting our demons in Galilee. HE was staying in the home of Simon and Andrew. HE had a busy night as we see in Mark 1:29-33:
29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went into Simon and Andrew’s house with James and John. 30 Simon’s mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He went to her, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her,[19] and she began to serve them. 32 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all those who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. 33 The whole town was assembled at the door, 34 and He healed many who were sick with various diseases and drove out many demons. But He would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew Him.


Verse 33 tells us that “The whole town” came to Simon and Andrew’s house. HE healed those who needed healing from a disease or demon possession. HE went to bed. Then before daylight HE got up. Left the house and found a quite place to pray. HE needed to go to communicate with HIS FATHER.


Generally the busier Christians are in obediently serving the LORD, they neglect communicating with HIM. They may communicate with HIM as they work, which is good, but they need an alone time with HIM away from everything.


What JESUS communicated with THE FATHER about is not given but my speculation is that since there was such an overwhelming turnout of needy people coming to Simon and Andrew’s house, should HE stay or move on? It is always tempting to remain in a ministry that seems to be thriving. Our ego often leads us to stay because things are going great. Based upon HIS response to HIS disciples in verses 38 and 39, I think CHRIST laid the matter before THE FATHER and asked HIM what HE should do. HE received a clear response and acted accordingly.


When Christians are obediently serving the LORD, they must take time to communicate with GOD to determine whether or not they are in the place where HE wants them to be. Then when HE gives them the answer, they must respond regardless of what their flesh leads them to do. Often, Christians need the gift of discernment because it is easy for them to war with the flesh. We all do and that is why we must have the right relationship with GOD though CHRIST. Pulling away from a busy schedule and communicating with our FATHER is vital. Christians need alone time to pray, read the scripture and meditate the direction their FATHER would have them to go. This is even more critical the busier we are. JESUS was at the home of Simon and Andrew but HE still found a quite place to go to.


Simon and the other disciples discovered that JESUS was missing from the house, so they went searching for HIM. The language implies a concern along with exasperation. My take is, “Gee did JESUS just get up and leave without telling someone? We still have people who need ministering to.” HIS disciples must have been shocked when JESUS told them that it was time to move on. It is easy to stay in one place but we must obediently follow the leading of the FATHER. CHRIST was sure of HIS decision because HE had communicated with HIS FATHER. Christians must do no less.


Let’s read Psalm 1:1-3:
The Life’s Two Roads – The life of a faithful person contrasted to the life of a faithless person. The author of Psalm 1 is unknown.


1 How happy is the man who does not follow[1] the advice of the wicked, or take[2] the path of sinners, or join a group[3] of mockers! 2 Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.[4]3 He is like a tree planted beside streams of water[5]that bears its fruit in season[6]and whose leaf does not wither.[7]Whatever he does prospers.


The psalmist was writing about the positive results of refusing to follow the crowd. There are people who want you to do as they do and when you choose not to follow in their ways, they ridicule you. I do not know what the buzz words are today but years ago you were square, not cool or not hip. The psalmist had experienced enough of life to know the value of following and obeying GOD versus following the world or the desires of the flesh. The righteous refuse to follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers. Those following the dictates of the world or flesh are intrigued to try the ways of the world. When they follow that path, they become caught in that group’s lifestyle. They are hooked be it shoplifting, drugs, gambling, drinking, sex, lying and the list goes on and on but ends in destruction. CHRIST can help them rise above their former lifestyle but it is still a struggle. Meditation is vital in rising above a former ungodly lifestyle. I have heard some say that they had to quote scripture just to go to the grocery and shop. Temptation surrounds them constantly and they must keep their minds filled with GOD’S Word and keep focused upon HIM and HIS strength for them to overcome. And many have overcome and have a life built upon the solid rock of CHRIST and HIS righteousness.


Those who refuse to follow the world find true joy and are happy. They can live with themselves and feel good about themselves. What the person finds of value and delight is in the instruction of the LORD and meditating on these instructions. As a result, the person will be fed Spiritually. His Spiritual roots will grow deep and he will produce Spiritual fruit and his faithfulness will not wither. Whatever he/she does will prosper Spiritually.


I used to think of the reference to “prosper” to mean material wealth. It can but it means Spiritual wealth. When Christians seek the relationship with GOD and HIS Kingdom all these things will be added to them to the extent they can handle them. Meditation is a vital part of internalizing GOD’S Word in our lives and becoming well rooted in GOD’S Word and in our relationship with HIM. They will be watered Spiritually and their leaf will not wither.


Have you ever felt dry Spiritually? Something has happened to your Spiritual root system. Meditation will help you restore your connection with the living water provided by your relationship with CHRIST. Meditation involves reading and studying GOD’S Word, praying, pondering and putting what GOD reveals to you into action. CHRIST went to a quite place to have alone time with HIS FATHER, routinely. We need to do the same – when we are waiting in the car pool line, in the doctor’s office, early in the morning or at night. Whatever works for you. Christians must stay connected to the vine.


I am reminded of words of JESUS in John 15:5-8:
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be[1]My disciples.


Being grafted into the Spiritual vine of CHRIST provides Christians the opportunity to really know HIM and obediently serve HIM. Spiritual growth and maturity is not automatic. It is through the process of sanctification of which meditation is a vital part. It is through meditation that Christians probe the height, depth and width of Spiritual matters. The HOLY SPIRIT reveals truth, understanding and enlightenment as Christians ponder Spiritual truths.

Who rules our lives, the flesh or the Spirit? Christians often fight meditation because they do not have time. Do you want to be like a tree planted by streams of living water? If so, consider meditating on GOD’S Word and put what GOD reveals to you into action. The result will be fruit in season. Fruit may not come immediately but as you persist and stay connected to the true vine, vital Spiritual nutrients and living water will flow into you, fruit will come. What will your fruit look like? The following scripture lists some examples of Spiritual fruit:


Galatians 5:22-23: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,[5] 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Philippians 4:17: 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that is increasing to your account. (This is the fruit which results from witnessing, mentoring, teaching or investing time with others, which leads them to salvation or a deeper walk with CHRIST.)


Matthew 3:8: 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with[3] repentance.


Hebrews 13:15: 15 Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.


Do you want to be successful in life? True success comes as a by-product of a life based on being grafted into the true vine. It is seeking to know CHRIST through the reading, studying, meditating and putting into action what GOD reveals through the indwelling HOLY SPIRIT. This often requires a quite place where we can listen as GOD speaks. GOD can speak to HIS children anyway HE chooses and in the manner HE knows they will get the message. Consider meditating – reading and studying GOD’S Word, praying - then putting into action what GOD reveals to you and allow HIM to lead and direct your life. It is awesome but often difficult; without the right relationship impossible.