Great men of the Bible did something that is almost a lost art today. They meditated on the things of God.
David said, “When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him?” (Psa. 8:3-4). David didn’t give a passing glance to the heavens above. He looked at the moon and stars and marvelled at the hand that made them. Then he thought about how little man is in this vast universe, and yet God cares about him!
How many people even notice the awesome display of God’s power in creation? Many never give these wonders a second thought. John Calvin said that most people walk blindfolded through the glorious theater of God’s creation. But what about Christians? Are we too busy to ponder the starry skies? Every day the wisdom and power and love of God are shown in nature. All we have to do is contemplate His works through the eyes of faith and our spirits will be uplifted. Jesus said to “behold the fowls of the air” and “consider the lilies of the field” when we are tempted to worry (Matt. 6:26, 28). The book of Job addresses one of the oldest and most profound questions of life: why is evil in the world, and why do bad things happen to good people? When the Lord answered Job, He didn’t give him a philosophic lecture. He pointed Him to the creation (Job 38-41).
David also wrote, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa. 1:2). This is what we need more of in the church. We need to read the Bible and hear the Bible, but we also need to think seriously about it. Paul told Timothy to “meditate upon these things” (I Tim. 4:15) and “consider what I say” (II Tim 2:7). This takes time and effort. Sadly, many want to know the Bible, but they try to learn it the quick and easy way. Instead of hearing a sermon from the Bible, they would rather hear interesting stories with just a few Scriptures. Instead of reading the Bible and thinking about what it says, they rush to the internet for answers and motivation.
This age of television and the internet has kept us preoccupied and made us lazy in our thinking. People talk about religion but rarely reflect on what they read. This is an age of instant information, and our attention span is short. Our minds are busy but we seldom think about anything long.
Take time to sit still in a quiet place and meditate on the works and Word of God. Yes, this can be a challenge. A young mother with small children may have trouble finding her Bible much less time to read it. But make time and take time when possible to think deeply on things that are eternal.
-Kerry Duke
