MEDITATION

Meditation is “close or continued thought; the turning or revolving of a subject in the mind; serious contemplation.”—Webster. By it we appropriate to ourselves the ideas and truths that the mind has looked at, and penetrate deeper into the knowledge of the truth. Meditation is to the mind what digestion is to the body. By it we digest the truth and turn it, as it were, into a part of our beings. By it we convey the ideas of others to ourselves so as to make them properly our own, and discover new beauties and attractions in the truth.SLH 21.3

One day the philosopher Newton was asked how he made so many discoveries in the arts and sciences, and he answered, “By thinking always attentively.” Now if it was necessary for Newton to think always attentively in order to advance in the arts and sciences, is it not necessary for us to meditate on the truth in order to advance in the true science, and make proficiency in sanctification? Many fail to see the glorious attractions of truth because they do not think upon it long enough.SLH 22.1

Said Paul to Timothy, “Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all” (or in all things, margin.) 1 Timothy 4:15. Here is a plain injunction to meditate on the things of God. Those who do this will better understand the truth and their duty, and be more useful in the cause of their Master.SLH 22.2

But two extremes should here be avoided. One extreme is to meditate much without looking to the Lord for wisdom and help. The other extreme is to expect that the Lord will give us wisdom and help while we neglect to meditate. We must both meditate and look to the Lord. We must dig for wisdom by meditation and prayer, expecting divine aid and heavenly assistance.SLH 22.3

He that leans to his own understanding entirely, is unwise, Proverbs 28:26, and is liable to run into wild fancies and erroneous opinions. It is safe to trust in the Lord with all our heart. He can easily give a happy and favorable turn to our thoughts, and cast into our minds some clue or suggestion, that will lead us to rich and useful ideas, if we acknowledge him and rely upon him in our meditations. Or he can involve our minds in darkness when we neglect him, and are filled with a vain conceit of our own light.SLH 23.1

David prayed that the meditation of his heart might be acceptable unto the Lord, Psalm 19:14, and loved to meditate in the law of the Lord. He says, “I hate vain thoughts; but thy law do I love.” “I will meditate in thy statutes.” “Oh, how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.” “I prevented the dawning of the morning and cried. I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word.” Psalm 119:113, 48, 97, 147, 148. Again he says, “I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” “How agreeable are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. How precious are thy thoughts to me.” “My meditation of him shall be sweet.” Psalm 143:5; 92:5; 139:17; 104:34.SLH 23.2

Let us hear further from the Psalmist: “Thus will I bless thee while I live. I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.” Psalm 63:4-6. What blessedness David here anticipates! But how is it to be realized? The next verse will tell us: “When I remember thee on my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.” Here is the condition. Those who remember the Lord and meditate on him will be satisfied, as with marrow and fatness, and it will be natural and easy for them to bless and praise the Lord with joyful lips, and to lift up their hands in his name. But how often, alas! the mind is suffered to be clogged with meditations of earth, so that it has no room or strength left to meditate on God and his word, and then it is difficult to lift up the hands, praise the Lord, and speak of his goodness.SLH 23.3

The Psalmist pronounces that man blessed who meditates day and night in the law of the Lord, Psalm 1:1, 2, And he adds: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Verse 4.SLH 24.1