Last time I wrote about the blessed man who trusts in God, and who has confidence in God, for he is like a tree planted by waters, he will not be fearful nor anxious when the heat and drought comes.* Today we see another man who is blessed like a tree planted by waters. The first man is blessed, he is firmly planted through trust and confidence, with roots deep and connected to a source of continuous living water, he will prosper. The second man is also blessed, he delights in the word of God, he meditates on it continuously, he will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Finally, brothers, whatsoever is true, whatsoever is honorable, whatsoever is just, whatsoever is pure, whatsoever is lovely, whatsoever is commendable, if anything is excellent also if anything praiseworthy, think (regard, consider, ponder, meditate, reason) such things.*
Meditate on these things; coming into existence in them, so that your advancement is visible to all.*
With my whole heart I have sought you; oh, let me not wander from your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you... I will meditate on your precepts, and contemplate your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget your word. Deal bountifully (deal fully; wean, grow up; ripen, bear fruit; prosper) to your servant, that I may live and keep your word.*
How can a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed according to God's word, with the whole heart seeking, not wandering, but hiding his words in the heart so that they might not sin against God. Such a man will rejoice in His testimonies more than riches and will meditate (which means to engage in contemplation or reflection, to focus one's thoughts on: reflect on or ponder over, to plan or project in the mind : intend, purpose) on His word and contemplate (think profoundly and at length) His ways, delighting and not forgetting His words.* One can be firmly planted, cleanse his way, by seeking God with a whole heart, by meditating, and contemplating on His word.
Therefore if raised along with Christ, seek that above where Christ exists enthroned at the right hand of God. Have the mind of above, not that of the earth, for you died and your life is laid up together with Christ in God. When Christ your life is brought to light then you also will be brought to light with him.*
You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you because he trusts in you.*
It begins with renewing our minds to trust and have confidence in God. Transformation continues as we meditate on God and His words. Have you ever used wikihow.com? it has step by step instructions with pictures. It was interesting when I found wikihow.com instructions for meditating on God's word.* Meditation and contemplation is a powerful tool God uses in transformation, the renewing of the mind. If you are struggling in an area, meditate on scriptures related to your area of struggle. If you need strengthening in faith, meditate on the word of God, faith comes through the word of God. If you are struggling with hopelessness meditate on hope. If you are struggling with sexual immorality meditate on scripture related to this. Don't just read it once, but over and over, meditating on it. God uses scripture to renew our minds, as Jesus said if we abide in the truth it will set us free. To be firmly planted, meditate on foundational things like adoption, redemption, forgiveness, read over and over scriptures like Ephesians chapter 1. Read, meditate on scriptures about justification and righteousness in Romans, over and over again. Pray for God to show you scriptures to meditate on.
Renewal gives us the mind above, the mind of the new man, who is a new creation in Christ. So when we have this mind, we have put on the new man, the one raised and seated with Christ. If you are raised with Christ, Paul writes, then seek that above. What part of me has been raised with Christ? It is not my body, we are awaiting a salvation; the redemption of our bodies.* There is a salvation of our soul, the goal of faith Peter writes. It must be the new man, the spiritual man? Paul writes part of us is raised and seated with Christ, we are made alive "and raised us up and seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,"* In context, Paul is talking about if we have been raised, think on things above, put off the mind of the old man and put on the mind of the new man. The new man is the one that is above, so we want to have his mind so that the life of Christ is brought to life in our bodies.*
You have to be persistent in renewing the mind. The carnal mind is against God and this weakness the devil takes advantage of to war against our mind, our souls. Since the goal of our faith is this salvation of our souls, renewal of the mind is very important* It's really about being conformed to the image of Christ, that which God purposed before the creation of the world and why He chose us. We need to have the new mind, that of above. Give me bread and living water so that I might prosper in your ways so that I might be firmly planted by living water and bear fruit in season.
Meditate on these things; coming into existence in them, so that your advancement is visible to all.*
Meditation helps in transformation, it is coming into existence, putting on the new man, through the renewing of the mind. When we have the mind above, the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.* What we think about determines whether we will have the mind of the new man or that of the earthly. Know your thoughts, as Joyce Meyer writes in her book Battlefield of the Mind, "think about what you are thinking about." When we are trained by the words of faith, we are trained in godliness, able to discern and reject silly myths and more serious, the teachings of demons and deceitful spirits.* Meditating on the word of God advances us into maturity, empowering us to grow strong in the Lord in the might of His strength. We can put on the armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil. John writes, when the word of God abides in us we are strong and will overcome the evil one. Meditation on the word, helps us grow strong in the Lord.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.*
Meditation keeps us on the path of righteousness, so we do not walk in the advice of the ungodly, nor journey with the sinful, nor assemble with those who despise the wisdom of God.* Meditating on His words brings the wisdom and understanding of God.* And it helps us to speak wisdom and give understanding.* It helps us contemplate His ways.* It keeps us from being arrogant, and helps us to overcome those who wrong us.* Meditation helps us be watchful in the night.* "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."* Meditation includes remembering the "days of old" when God had his hands on us working out things for our good.* Remember the good things of the past, when God stretched out his hands to us, doing mighty deeds and miracles in our lives.* Meditating on His words is life and even health to one's whole body.*
In the new testament, the word of God became flesh and dwelt among us.* So we can say, blessed is the man whose delight is in Jesus, the word of God in which he meditates day and night, "he is like a tree planted by rivers of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."*