I have recently been learning a new method of meditation that has helped me to think and absorb the Bible. This method is specifically a biblical method, drawn straight from the pages of Scripture (Phil 4:8 to be exact). This is actually a really important matter for us considering our culture.
Why is this important to us, you say? Because there are hundreds of people in the world who will appeal to you, saying, "Try this new, cool method of meditation; or did you hear about so and so's secret for deep, spiritual life; or even try this old, proven method that's been used for centuries." Unfortunately, so many of these methods are poor attempts to "sanctify" worldly practices of meditation. Worldly meditation wants you to "empty your mind," be passive, and use visualization to create one's own reality. This is empty, worldly "spirituality." Examples of this range from yoga, medieval Catholic mysticism, advice seen on shows like Oprah, "prayer labyrinths, and even things found in many "christian" books.
However, such meditation is NOT biblical (or better yet, just plain Christian) meditation. Biblical meditation is completely the opposite of worldly meditation. Biblical meditation focuses on filling your mind with truth from the Scriptures and from life. This obviously requires mental activity, instead of passivity. Finally, this directly linked to both prayer and action. Note that last part, biblical meditation is meant to effect how we live our life. True, biblical spirituality is found when our minds our renewed by the Word of God such that obedience flows from our lives.
A nice, long, 'seminary' definition describes meditation as "deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture, or upon life from a scriptural perspective, for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer."
Biblical meditation is one major way God intends for His children to be conformed into godly people. Furthermore, the GREAT news is that God desires for ALL of His children to be made godly through these means. Therefore, biblical meditation must be simple enough and do-able enough for believers all over the world in all different circumstances. Its not just for PhD's and seminary students. Its for you and me.
Ok, I'm quickly actually going to get to posting on Psalm 57, but one last thing. Consider this statement, "We feel most deeply about the things we think most deeply about!" After considering this phrase for some time, I've concluded that its exactly right. I feel passion and desire and care for the things I spend the most time thinking deeply about. Oh, that my passion and desire for Jesus Christ and the glory of God overflow through my entire lifetime's work of meditating and thinking deeply about him.
On to the blog on Psalm 57...
As noted early, I learned a new method my Spiritual Disciplines class that uses Philippians 4:8 as a grid to help me think about any specific Bible passage.
Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
Do you see that last phrase? "Dwell on these things" is synonymous with biblical meditation. The goal of this method is to use the eight aspects of this verse to ask questions of other biblical texts to help us dwell on these things. The format of these questions are simple, such as, "What is true about this, or what truth does this exemplify?" and "What is honorable about this?" Of course, not every passage of Scripture will have answers that fit nice and neat into every category. But answering the questions isn't necessarily the point so its ok to have unanswered questions. The point is for us to think deeply about the Scriptures and attempt to absorb all the richness of God's Word.
I'm focusing on the first three verses of Psalm 57 and using the questions to mine the mind of God.
Psalm 57:1-3
"Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You:
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me,
He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me.
God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth."
Question #1
What is true about this, or what truth does it exemplify?
- God is a gracious God
- God is One in whom you can take refuge
- God's children cry out to Him because God is a God who hears
- God acts on behalf of His children to accomplish ALL things for them
- God is a Savior- God is a God full of lovingkindness (covenantal, faithful, and steadfast love)- God is a God of truth
Question #2
What is honorable about this?
- God does not turn away from His children, but rather saves them(this reminds me of Jesus talking about how earthly fathers do not give their sons snakes when they ask for bread and how much better God our Father treats us, His children)
Question #3
What is right about this?
- David doesn't rely upon himself
- David believes that unless the Lord is gracious (read - undeserved or unmerited action) he will not survive the oppression of his enemies.
+ David appeals to God's graciousness BECAUSE he takes refuge in Him (contrast this with people who cry out for God to help them in their trouble, but never truly put their faith, trust, and hope in Him)
- If David truly believes that his God is the God Most High, then certainly he is right to cry out to Him in His time of need. If we really believe God is who He says He is, we ought to trust Him that He is accomplishing all things for our good (reminds of Romans 8:28).
Question #4
What is pure about this, or how does it exemplify purity?
- David's trust in light of the "destruction" surrounding him is pure
Question #5
What is lovely about this?
- The description of the shadow of the Lord's wings is a beautiful picture of the Lord's protection. Maybe a modern day description expressing the same point might be "in the arms of your father."
- Its also lovely to see the Lord accomplishing all things for me. This means that the Lord is at work even in the midst of the oppression and destruction faced in this psalm. The Lord's sovereignty over all of life, both storm and calm, is in view here. And that...is something that is truly beautiful.
+ Notice the way the psalm says God will save David. Verse 3 says, "He will send from heaven and save me... God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth." Wait a second though, if you're David crying out to be saved from the destruction around you, you're crying out to be physically saved from the situation. Wouldn't you want to hear God say, "I'm sending my angels to surround you and protect you." Instead, though, the instruments God uses to save David are manifestations of His lovingkindness and His truth. This verse says that God saves His people by showing His love and His truth to them. Now think deeply with me. Isn't this the same description of how the Lord saves His people today? God sent forth "His lovingkindness" and "His truth" in the person of Jesus to save us! Think about how Jesus is the fulfullment of the promise of God to send His lovingkindness. Think about how Jesus is the fulfillment of the promise of God to send His truth. One might cry out, "God if you would just send your angels to surround me and save me." But God calls out in return, "I have sent My Lovingkindness and My Truth to be your Savior. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ." Again, how beautiful is this?
Question #6
What is admirable, commendable, or reputation strengthening?
- David's confident trust is admirable- David's wisdom to cry to the Lord instead of look to himself
Question #7
What is excellent about this? (Note: the term excellent here is a term of comparison, not merely description)
+ God is excellent compared to all other forms of refuge. Note that the introduction to this psalm references David hiding in a cave. This physical cave, however, cannot provide true refuge. God alone is the refuge for David's soul. Are there any physical places that we try to elevate to places of refuge over and above God?
Question #8
What is praiseworthy about this?
- God is praiseworthy for being intimately connected to His people. God cares for His children. God is accomplishing all things for them. God is actively saving them. God is being consistently gracious to them. Finally, God is showing His love and His truth to them. To God be the glory, great things He has done!
I know this has been a nice long one. Maybe consider this to make up for not getting to read a full Glenn-style post. I truly do hope and pray that God might be at work in you through His Spirit enlightening your eyes to the Word and conforming you to the image of His Son Jesus Christ.
For the purpose of godliness!
Grace and Peace,
John Michael
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