The easiest way to lose what you know in your heart is to neglect what you know in your mind.
What does that mean? Many times Christians receive revelation, or understanding of the will of God. A promise will come alive in their heart, wisdom for a situation; faith for a need is born. Then they go on with life as usual. Others never enter into the revelation that is in the Word of God both, because they do not practice the principle of meditating on it.
The Lord told Joshua to meditate on the book of the law, day and night. (Joshua 1:8). I believe this is not only because he should know what the law (word of God) said; but He was telling Joshua that His Word should always be in the forefront of his mind.
The dictionary defines ‘meditate’ as: to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect. Another definition is to ponder or imagine. The idea is one of thinking upon earnestly, deeply or seriously.
We all meditate on something. What are your thoughts engaged in? In the quietness of your mind, what are you most giving your attention to by reflecting on it? Are you pondering a struggle you are dealing with, or circumstances you’re not happy about? Worrying? This is meditation. But in the negative.
Proverbs 4:20-23 says,
“My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; keep them in the midst of your heart; for they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. “
The Bible tells us over and over to meditate on God’s Words. This is not a casual relationship with the Word of God. And because the mind is the arena of faith, we must continually give our attention to the Word, not only to know what it says, but so that the truths of God’s Word are always in our heart. This requires active participation and commitment.
The Apostle Paul says in the book of Colossians, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16
Psalm 91 gives us even more insight telling us to dwell in the secret place and to abide in God’s presence. This precedes all of the benefits of deliverance and protection promised in the rest of the psalm.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2
Jesus shares this same principle by telling us how important it is that we are to abide in Him; and having His Word abide in us.
John 15:5, 7 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing…If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
The dictionary defines ‘abide’: To remain, continue; stay; To have one's abode; dwell
This is not referring to memorization of God’s Word. The power of the Word of God to transform, deliver, heal, protect and bless comes from an abiding relationship with the Word of God. Amen.
The Apostle Paul says this:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
The Lord wants us to dwell in His presence through abiding in His Word. The power of His Word is released when our hearts are filled with it. The principle of meditating works in the positive and in the negative. We have to make a quality decision every day whether God’s word dwells richly in us.