Oh, not to just read - but meditate.

I've been thinking about the 'art of meditation' a bit lately. I came across the word in Psalm 1:1-2

"1:1 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; 2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2 ESV.

And I was thinking what exactly does it mean to meditate? Is it being in a trance, off the planet, not really thinking? Then I kept on reading. Its mulling over the 'law of God' day and night, not letting it go. To reflect continuously on the Scriptures, and letting it change you.

J.I. Packer, the author of 'Knowing God' says it like this:
"It [that is, meditation] is the 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 communion with God." p22 Knowing God.

But it doesn't stop there. There is an expressed purpose in this meditation on the scriptures. - this meditation humbles oneself, expands the mind, and gives consolidation to the downcast. This is where real comfort and calming of sorrow and grief is found. In the knowledge of God. So its not about head knowledge. It's heart knowledge!

As I reflected on this today, I've been challenged to think about the way I study the Scriptures (again). Why do I study the Scriptures? Is it for personal advantage, to be someone who seems to have the answers?(I like knowing a bit about the word of God) Or is it so that I'd grow deeper in relationship with the One who has spoken in His word.

I love what C. H. Spurgeon says on this word meditate. Commenting on verse 2 in Psalm 1 he writes:-
"And now mark his positive character. “His delight is in the law of the Lord.” He is not under the law as a curse and condemnation, but he is in it, and he delights to be in it as his rule of life; he delights, moreover, to meditate in it, to read it by day, and think upon it by night. He takes a text and carries it with him all day long; and in the night-watches, when sleep forsakes his eyelids, he museth upon the Word of God. In the day of his prosperity he sings psalms out of the Word of God, and in the night of his affliction he comforts himself with promises out of the same book. “The law of the Lord” is the daily bread of the true believer. And yet, in David's day, how small was the volume of inspiration, for they had scarcely anything save the first five books of Moses! How much more, then, should we prize the whole written Word which it is our privilege to have in all our houses! But, alas, what ill-treatment is given to this angel from heaven! We are not all Berean searchers of the Scriptures. How few among us can lay claim to the benediction of the text! Perhaps some of you can claim a sort of negative purity, because you do not walk in the way of the ungodly; but let me ask you - Is your delight in the law of God? Do you study God's Word? Do you make it the man of your right hand - your best companion and hourly guide? If not, this blessing belongeth not to you." Treasury of David (e-sword edition).

It is my prayer that I'll truly meditate on the great themes of the Scriptures, that I may be humbled, that my mind would be expanded, and I might be consoled in times of trouble. I pray that I may grow deeper in knowledge of the one who has created me, that I may know him more, love him more, and obey him in everything.

Another blow - but oh, there is hope!

Well, if any of you are readers of Robyn's blog, you'd know by now that Padfoot died on Friday morning. It was a totally bad experience! I don't recommend it at all. It was really sad to see our little bundle of joy die. It was also really hard seeing my wife so heart broken. She really loved Padfoot. I mean, she really loved her. We spent most of the morning crying and mopping around the house. Padfoot was such a positive thing for Robyn, in the midst of her pain. But, such is life in this broken world.

It just makes me think, how I long for heaven. I long so much to be away from this body that is decaying, and suffering (nothing compared to Robyn). I hate tears! I don't like being down. But with all that said, I have great comfort in knowing that God is in Control. He is working toward his goal of bringing all things under the head of Christ (Ephesians 1). The problems of suffering are not inconsequential to God. No, he has actually done something about it in Jesus! That is a comfort. So the cross of Christ is the thing I look to most, when I go through suffering. I cling to the cross. Because there, and only there is there comfort for the wounded soul.

May God help Robyn and I to endure suffering, to persevere through it, knowing that we have one who has suffered much that we might have life eternal. We have the certain hope of heaven - to be with our Creator and Redeemer forever, in prefect relationship, with no more pain and suffering. No more tears.

May God speed up the coming of the Lord Jesus! Come Lord Jesus, Come!

My Rock, Refuge and Saviour.

It strikes me how many times in the Bible God is pictured as a rock, refuge and saviour for those who love him. Then you find he is a terrible enemy of those who reject him at the same time. I was reading 2 Samuel 22-24 this morning. And it just hit me again. David continually praises God, acknowledging that He alone is a rock, the deliverer, the place to find refuge. Again, and again he is called "my rock", "my refuge", "my saviour". The language is very reminiscent of many of the Psalms.

"The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my saviour... I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." 2 Samuel 22:1-4 NIV.

I constantly need to remember that God is my rock. In him I can take refuge, for he is my saviour. And I see this again supremely in the Lord Jesus. My lord who suffered that I may have life. The One who delivered me from coping the wages of my sin (Romans 6:23), and I'm blown away! Sometimes I a bit slow in getting this into my head. I need the continual reminder.

It worked!

Hi. Here is that photo. Didn't work last time. Dag nam it! You get that.

I'm on the web!

Well, I'm on the web. And this is my blog.

I was inspired by my wife Robyn, who has a blog - see http://shadowgrace.blogspot.com - which has been really encouraging to me.

And I thought, well, what the hey, have a go. See what happens! I'm not sure if anyone will read this, but if someone does, my prayer is that you'll be encourage to think through the bigger questions of life, and look the the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe as a result! That's the kind of thing I'll be posting, and occasionally some random verbal diarrhea to boot.

Oh, here's my picture. Just in case you wanted to know "who is this guy?". And of course there's a cup of coffee in my hands. Very rarely is that NOT the case. Robyn took this photo when we were on holidays down the south coast, in October last year.