Meditation?

Today's Reading: "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee….I will delight myself in thy statutes; I will not forget thy word." (Psalm 119:10-11, 16 KJV)

The secret of keeping God’s commandments and hiding God’s word in your heart? Delighting and meditating in God’s Word! Psalm 1:2 says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

Unfortunately, the word "meditate" has taken on a whole different connotation in today’s world. True, the word meditation can also have its basis in a philosophical, even “spiritual or religious” belief. Through such meditation practices as yoga and some Eastern religions, we are encouraged to “get inside” ourselves often chanting a word or "mantra". (Webster’s Dictionary defines "mantra" as a Hindu formula believed to embody the divinity invoked and to possess magical power.) All this in an effort to “free” our minds--to become "spiritually" open to the universe. Oh, we can become open alright, but to what? Be careful not to open you mind or your soul to wandering spirits seeking whom they may devour (1 Peter 5:8)!

Dear one, God doesn't want to free our minds! No! He wants to free us! He alone has the power to transform our lives by renewing of our minds! (Romans 12:2a) How is this possible you ask? By putting "off" the things that belong to our old sinful natures, and "putting on" Christ Jesus (Ephesians 4:22-23 and Galatians 3:27 KJV)!