"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,"  Ephesians 6:17




"Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish."
Psalm 1

Meditation - to ponder the scripture in such a fashion as to inform the mind, stir up the affections with life-enhancing energy; which leads to personal transformation.

“Meditation is thinking a truth out and then thinking a truth in, until its ideas become ‘big’ and ‘sweet’, moving and affecting, and until the reality of God is sensed upon the heart.”  Tim Keller, Prayer, p. 162

“Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, thinking over, dwelling upon, and applying to oneself the various things one knows about the works and ways and purposes of God.
It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communication with God.
Its purpose is to clear one's mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let his truth make its full and proper impact upon one's mind and heart.”  J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p. 18-19

MEDITATION:

1. Is centered on Scripture (rational thought) vs. mantra meditation.

2. Leads to rootedness/stability.

"'See the man who would not make
God his refuge,
but trusted in the abundance of his riches
and sought refuge in his own destruction!'
But I am like a green olive tree
in the house of God.
I trust in the steadfast love of God
forever and ever.
I will thank you forever,
because you have done it.
I will wait for your name, for it is good,
in the presence of the godly."
Psalm 52:7-9

"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”  Matthew 7:24-27

"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 good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:8-9

3. Produces character/life transformation.
4. Leads to blessedness/delight.
5. Gives a sense of destiny and hope (v. 5 & 6).

“If we settle for mere speculations and mental notions about Christ's doctrine, we shall find no life-transforming power communicated to us. But when, under the conduct of spiritual light, our affections do cleave unto Christ with full purpose of heart, our minds fill up with thoughts and delight in Him. This will increase our holiness, strengthen our graces, and fill us sometimes with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”  John Owen, The Glory of Christ, p. 400-401