“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

Philippians 4:8 {NKJV}

I shared this verse from Philippians not too long ago on a blog post I wrote titled, “How to Have a Peaceful Mind.”  Because of this, I was confused as to why God would want me to repeat this message on peace.  So I decided to just reread those words in Philippians several times through and most importantly, to meditate on them as the Bible says to do. It was in that quiet moment, I learned three important lessons:

1. God brought me back to that verse because I still need His peace in my life.  Just because I wrote about it doesn't mean I was living out God's peace in my life. (Ouch!)  
2. God wants me to stop and meditate when I spend time with Him. It’s not always easy for me to stop and be still with God, but the Bible says in the following verse 9 of Philippians that His peace will reside with me when I do. So yes, God wants me to meditate though not in the New Age sense, in which I try to make my mind peaceful. He wants to make my mind peaceful. That is more powerful and lasting than what any yogi can teach me to do.
3. I never noticed this before, but when I used to read Philippians 4:8, I thought the Bible was saying to meditate on earthly things that are pure, just, lovely, and so on. However, that’s not what the Bible taught me this time. I learned that every single line of those words in that verse points to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, not earthly things! I can’t explain how the Trinity works together as One God, but all I can say is the verse points to them. Only God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. Can you think of any created thing on Earth that fits all those criteria? I can’t. That is why I believe the Trinity is worthy of my focus and attention.

I’m so thankful how God teaches me His truth in such a simple, yet profound way.  Just meditate on Him.  I can do this any time of the day and anywhere.  I don’t have to be in my favorite comfy chair at home, or at my favorite vacation spot to feel or be peaceful.  God’s peace is available to me all the time.  I just need to be available to Him.

1.  Do you carve out time each day to be still and quiet with God whether it be 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or longer? If too busy, what can you do to make God first in your life?  Maybe it's spending less time on social media, waking up earlier than normal, or scheduling time with God on your calendar as an appointment. 
2. Do you believe the Bible is alive and active in your life?  The Bible tells us that the Word is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16).  As we know, as long as we have breath, we have life.  So his Word is alive and useful to us when we meditate on it.  

Father, we are thankful that your instruction for our lives is simple, yet profound.  Forgive us if we make life complicated, busy, or  separate from you.  Help us to meditate on you each day, and not approach you only when we need you.  Our hearts desire is to grow intimately with you each day.  We love you.  In Jesus name, Amen.  

 

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness," -2 Timothy 3:16  {English Standard Version}

"I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes." -Psalm 119:99 {New International Version}