"Meditate Therein Day And Night"

by M. Macdonald, Glasgow | Category: General | Nov 1969

This advice, given by the LORD to Joshua (Joshua 1.8), is important for God's people today. The word "meditate" carries the meaning of unhurried contemplation or diligent, careful consideration. In 1 Timothy 4.15 the A.V. reads "meditate upon these things", while the R.V. renders the phrase "be diligent in these things". The work of the young man Timothy demanded his diligent attention. The person who has learned the secret of meditation in the word of God will know the sweetness of abiding under the shadow of the Almighty because he dwells in the secret place of the Most High (Psalm

91.1). Because of its very nature, meditation will cost us something. It will cost us time. In our present way of life how little time we have to sit down and read and think!

Meditation is an exercise whereby the mind is fed. So far as Christians are concerned, the proper development of the mind is a very important matter. Full growth from a manward point of view may be vastly different from full growth in the eyes of God. Men look on the outward appearance, but God looketh on the heart. When the Lord was sending out the twelve, He said to them, "Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10.16). Again, we find the apostle writing to the Corinthians, "Brethren ... in mind be men" (1 Corinthians 14.20).

Scripture tells us over and over again, that "the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom". Thus when men come to Christ, and understand something of the fear of the LORD, they are starting Out in the great pilgrimage of acquiring a knowledge of God. As newborn babes, they are to "long for the spiritual milk which is without guile", that they may grow thereby unto salvation (1 Peter 2.2). Meditation in God's word is conducive to spiritual growth.

The LORD desired Joshua to meditate in the book of the law day and night. In Deuteronomy 6.6-9, there is a general commandment for all Israel. The words of the LORD were to be upon their hearts. They were to be taught to their children, and they were to be discussed as they went about their business. Everywhere they went, everything they did, required counsel from the words of the LORD. For ourselves, meditation is necessary so that we may apply the word and the counsel of God to our everyday lives.

Joshua had become the leader of the people of God. He was to be a captain, a counsellor. The promised inheritance lay before Israel; Jordan's banks were but three days' journey away. Forty wasted wilderness years lay behind them. How necessary, then, the counsel of God to Joshua as he embarked upon so great an adventure, Meditate in this book of the law day and night! For "this book of the law" contained all that the leader of Israel required. There were full instructions for dealing with any matters which would arise. Matters regarding the highest service in the sanctuary as well as proper family relationships could be referred to "this book of the law". It would have been futile for Joshua, or any of the leaders of Israel, to turn aside from "this book of the law" to ask counsel of the nations around them. Then, they would become ensnared in the evil ways of these people, as eventually they did.

If Joshua would observe the command, "to meditate therein", and also to "do all", then the outcome would be prosperity and good success. How much men are seeking after such things today, and yet how far they are from finding them! In Psalm 1 the man who meditates day and night in the law of the LORD is beautifully described. He is said to be "like a tree planted by the streams of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season ... and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper".

Meditation lies at the very heart of a fruitful life for God. Such was the life of Joshua. Although beset at times with many disappointments, yet he carried forward until the promised land was at last possessed. Faithfully he served the LORD. This was shown by the fact that Israel continued to serve the LORD all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, before they entered upon the dismal, dark days of the Judges.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 119.97, "Oh, how love I Thy law! It is my meditation all the day". If there is not in our lives an all-consuming love for the word of God, there will be no desire to think and meditate upon it. As in all things in our Christian life, love plays a very large part. Let us then, brethren and sisters, strive to follow the good counsel, to meditate in this book of the law day and night.

M. Macdonald, Glasgow | Nov 1969
General