Living His WordParaugs

In Joshua’s day, if you wanted to meditate on the Word of God, then all you had was the “Book of the Law.” This is what Christian scholars call the “Pentateuch,” the first five books of the Old Testament written by Moses. In our day, of course, we have much more at our disposal for meditation: both Old and New Testaments. In each era, however, meditating on the Word of God leads to the same result: prosperity and success.

The reason for this is that when one meditates on the Word one begins to see reality from God’s perspective; one begins to see reality for what it actually is. Those who meditate on the Word become wise. David said that by meditating on God’s Word he became wiser than his enemies, teachers, and elders (Psalm 119:97-100). The wise person knows what to do and how to prosper and be successful in life. That’s why Solomon prayed for wisdom when he wanted success as King of Israel (I Kings 3).

Meditation on the Word of God is the practice of focusing one’s thoughts on the Word to reflect on it, ponder over it, memorize it, and pray about it. It helps us with what the Apostle Paul would call the “renewing of our minds” and thus keeps us from being “conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). It should not be confused with Eastern mystical meditation. Mysticism usually involves the emptying of the mind, whereas Christian meditation involves filling the mind with the Word of God.

Don’t forget the obedience part of God’s admonition to Joshua. It doesn’t make much sense to meditate on the Word and never put it into practice. Wise people don’t just know things, they also do things.