Well, at this point, we are ready for Principle #2. Principle #2 is "Use Simple Observation to Determine What is Present." This begins with the simple...read, reread, and re-reread. Again (from Principle #1), as you are reading, have an ear open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. You will be amazed by what you gain in understanding by simply "camping out" in a passage in this way.
This kind of reading is very much like meditating. The Biblical discipline of meditation is the least appreciated, most underutilized, but possibly the most important of all the disciplines encouraged in Scripture. Biblical meditation is far different from the unfruitful discipline practiced by the middle eastern religions. Rather than "emptying your mind," Biblical meditation is the practice of allowing your heart and mind to be filled by "chewing on" or "pondering on" God, His works, or a passage or a verse, much like a cow chews on its' cud. A cow chews on the grass, swallows it, partially digests it, brings it up to the mouth and chews again on it...and repeats this action several times. It's the necessary process for the cow to successfully digest food.
The Hebrew word that is translated into meditation throughout the Old Testament refers to a second concept, as well. One concept that this Hebrew word refers to is this process of chewing, but the second concept is one of muttering words under one's breath. You'll see the connection between the mouth and meditation more clearly in the following passage...
So, for all those who've been chided for talking to themselves...now, you've got a far better use of those moving lips, and far more rewarding. Consider the attractive benefit guaranteed in the promise declared by God, at the end of the above Scripture...
In my next post, I'll discuss the principle of "simple observation" a bit more...so, be sure and stay tuned to check it out!
This kind of reading is very much like meditating. The Biblical discipline of meditation is the least appreciated, most underutilized, but possibly the most important of all the disciplines encouraged in Scripture. Biblical meditation is far different from the unfruitful discipline practiced by the middle eastern religions. Rather than "emptying your mind," Biblical meditation is the practice of allowing your heart and mind to be filled by "chewing on" or "pondering on" God, His works, or a passage or a verse, much like a cow chews on its' cud. A cow chews on the grass, swallows it, partially digests it, brings it up to the mouth and chews again on it...and repeats this action several times. It's the necessary process for the cow to successfully digest food.
The Hebrew word that is translated into meditation throughout the Old Testament refers to a second concept, as well. One concept that this Hebrew word refers to is this process of chewing, but the second concept is one of muttering words under one's breath. You'll see the connection between the mouth and meditation more clearly in the following passage...
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night..." Josh 1:8 NASU
So, for all those who've been chided for talking to themselves...now, you've got a far better use of those moving lips, and far more rewarding. Consider the attractive benefit guaranteed in the promise declared by God, at the end of the above Scripture...
"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success." Josh 1:8 NASU
In my next post, I'll discuss the principle of "simple observation" a bit more...so, be sure and stay tuned to check it out!
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