“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the
law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it
to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law
depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything
written in it.

Any guesses on what I am preaching about this morning?

Meditation

As you can see from this morning’s scripture readings the discipline of meditation has been a central practice of the Judeo Christian faith. Unfortunately when one thinks of meditation today one thinks in terms of yoga, new age religion, or a relaxation technique rather than a Biblical discipline.

Many people meditate and don’t even realize they are doing it. Unfortunately what many people are meditating on are issues, thoughts, worries, and fears. Their thoughts are focused or consumed on things that don’t bring peace. Their thoughts are not focused on gratitude and reflecting upon God’s Word, character, and faithfulness like the Psalmist.

The reason for this is that most people would say, “I don’t have time.” Let me ask you, this past week:

How much time did you spend reading the newspaper, magazines, emails?

How much time did you spend talking on the telephone?

How much time did you spend watching television?

How much time did you spend meditating on God’s Word this past week?

Meditation doesn’t demand long hours.  Meditation is like taking a deep breathe.  “Thoughts you feed into your heart determine the condition of your soul.”  What thoughts are you feeding your heart?

“Meditation is the pathway to your deepest knowledge of God.  You meditate on all that you value.  People in love instinctively meditate on their relationship, and the meditation is so intense that they feel together even when apart. Likewise to know God deeply and to love him fully demands consistent meditation.  The one thing that kills meditation is busyness.” (Ron Susek, God Will Answer)

Truth is busyness kills any relationship.

This was the advice Adam toasted Greg and Sara with last week at their wedding

“Enjoy each moment for I can’t believe how fast the first four years of his marriage has passed.

Don’t look forward to the future so that you miss the simple joys of today.

Love each other as much as you can.”

1 out of every two marriages will end up in divorce.  The reasons are infidelity, irreconcilable differences, fell out of love, or grew apart.  I wonder if these reasons are not only symptoms and that the real issue is busyness.  We become so busy trying to get the American dream, trying to get ahead, trying to make sure our children don’t go without.  We become so busy that we are denying our children and ourselves the most important avenue for prosperity and success.

We need to heed all of God’s advice, not just part of it.

Be strong and courageous. Good advice certainly advice we would give to anyone starting out in the world either as new parents, newly weds, or recent college graduates. Good advice to anyone at any point in life. Want to be prosperous?

Obey all the law my servant Moses gave to you. Hmm! I think this is where society and God part ways. Society says, “You have to do what you have to do to get ahead. Not matter what the cost.”

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. “When you turn your heart toward the voice of God, God turns His ear toward the beat of your heart.  God’s most important messages are whispered into the hearts of those who, through prayer and meditation, take time to listen.” (Ron Susek, God Will Answer)

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t want success and prosperity.  The question is do you want it society’s way or God’s way.  Society’s way is independence from God and it ends when life ends.  God’s way is dependence on God and it never ends.

“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the
law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it
to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law
depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and
night, so that you may be careful to do everything
written in it.

Then you will be prosperous and successful.”