Read Joshua 1:1-8, The Content of Meditation

It is foolish to think that we do not need to consider the question, On what do I meditate?  Foolish because God makes it clear that deception is always a problem in this world.  In Psalm 38:11-12 David recognizes that even his friends and family have the potential of laying snares for us and deceiving us. 

Those also who seek my life lay snares for me;

Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction,

And plan deception all the day long.

Solomon made a similar observation about evil men, that they are devious and seek to deceive others.  Even if the answer from Scripture is fairly easy to see, we must still ask and answer Biblically.  So here are a few verses that speak of meditation and that tell us what needs to be the object.  In other words, if meditation is chewing the cud, what is the “cud”?

·        The content of meditation: Old Testament.

Ø Josh 1:8: book of the law

Ø Psalm 1:2: the law of the Lord

Ø Psalm 77:12: on all Your works

Ø Psalm 119:15,78: in Thy precepts

Ø Psalm 119:23,48: in Thy statutes

Ø Psalm 119:148: in Thy word

Ø Psalm 143:5:  Your works (1), what your hands have done (2)

Ø Prov. 6:22: “wisdom” will talk with them

This is not, as you can see, a simple redundancy, telling us only to meditate on the Bible. There are two complimentary descriptions of the “cud”: God’s word and His works.   

 ·        The content of meditation: New Testament.

Ø 1 Tim. 4:15: instruction.

Ø Phil. 4:8: good things.

Ø Heb. 12:2-3: Christ, His passion.

Ø Col. 3:1-2: Christ, heavenly things.

Ø Rom. 8:5: the things of the Spirit.

Ø 2 Cor. 3:18: the glory of the Lord.

Ø 2 Cor. 4:16-18: eternal things.

The New Testament adds something very important.  It is still telling us to meditate on God’s word and works.  Instruction, the good things we are to think about, the things of the Spirit and the eternal things are all talking about God’s word and works.  But what we get in the NT is the idea that we are to meditate on Christ.  He is God, He is the Word of God (John 1:1) and He came to do the work of God. 

Remember that all this has to do with what it is that we think about and mull over and consider in meditation.  The emphasis on God’s word and works means meditation is the musing and mulling over and deep consideration of what theology calls general and special revelation.  God’s works involve creation, conscience and providence (general revelation) as well as Scripture (special revelation).  We delve deeper into the deep thoughts of God when Christ Jesus is seen at the center of it all.