The virtue of Bible meditation


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 ESV
The critical definition of the righteous in this psalm is the one who delights in God’s word, and meditates on it all the time. We have become use to the eastern idea of meditation in which one tries to empty the mind, but the Christian idea of meditation is quite the opposite being a focused and intent thoughtfulness. So, what the psalmist has in mind is one whose thoughts are filled continually with the word of God. This is far more than a cursory daily reading. The purpose of devotionals like this one is to help us move beyond reading and into consideration, giving some direction and impetus to our thinking. This is of course a greater effort than the cursory scanning so many of us fall into, but observe the results!
The imagery of the tree, which has found itself the centerpiece of the oft misused song We Shall Not Be Moved, is of an inner strength resulting from knowing the unchanging truth of the unchanging God. It is much the same idea of knowing the truth which shall set you free. What a contrast between this steadfast growing and fruitful tree (in terms of fruit look to John 15:5) and the restless chaff lifelessly blown about by every wind of change. The chaff may seem free at first, but it is slaved to the tyrant of the wind, and suffer greatly under it. The chaff can stand firm, it does not produce fruit. And the difference is made by the nourishment of those living waters drawn up for us in and through the Word of God.  
Prayer
Lord may our thoughts be ever full of Your word day and night. May we delight in Your Holy wisdom as it is our true nutriment. And so, Lord may we be those who bear much fruit thus proving the goodness of Your word and its truth to Your glory. May our lives contrast with those of those who do not know and who do not esteem Your word that they might come to know that there is life more abundant and free, and might seek out the living water, by grace be planted there and joined to the congregation of the righteous in the life of Christ. These things we ask in the name of the True Vine Jesus the Christ, and to Your glory alone. Amen.
Song
How Firm a Foundation

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