“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.” -Joshua 1:8 ESV
Do you want to know how to LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE?! I have the answer and it’s gonna blow your mind: Learn and follow scripture. Now You might wonder what scripture has to do with living your best life. Here’s the thing about God, the Bible & scripture, God put His truth (The Truth) in there. As our creator, He knows what IS or IS NOT best for us and the Bible points out the parameters we are to live in to both please Him and live out what we were created for. Hence…our best life!
If you think, like some do, that the Bible is full of rules, I would invite you to challenge that notion. The Bible is a wise and loving guide to living your life. It deals with how to relate to God and to others.
So a little bit about my Mom, she was big into the Jesus Movement and she sincerely loved God. She may have gotten it wrong on some counts with her zeal and some errant theology, but here is where she got it dead right…when I was a kid, she had us memorize scripture. I thought it was kinda lame at the time…I had better things to do ya know, like play hand ball (this game was all the rage at the time, kinda like Pickleball is today). Pleeeeze. Even though I was clearly busy…she still had us memorize Psalm 91 for instance, an entire Psalm about God’s protection. I can’t tell you how much it has popped into my head and heart just when I needed it and has calmed me during fearful circumstances. As kooky as my Mom could be she was onto something! And gave me a precious gift!
I’ve often wondered how I’ve come to know so much scripture over the years. I’ve realized it’s through consistent reading, re-reading, meditating on, and memorizing scripture that it truly sinks in and becomes accessible when I need it most. As Pastor Cheryl wisely used to say, scripture gives the Holy Spirit with a language to speak to us in. Who doesn’t desperately need that guidance and connection. I certainly do!
And don’t get confused or misunderstand what “meditating on scripture day and night” truly means in a biblical context. Biblical meditation simply involves thinking deeply about the scripture you’ve read and thoughtfully considering how it can apply to your life and circumstances. It doesn’t require specific rituals, deep breathing exercises, particular poses or emptying your mind. Quite the opposite actually! Webster’s dictionary defines “to meditate” as “to dwell on something in thought, to contemplate, or to study.” I’ve often heard it said that if you know how to worry, then you know how to meditate.
If I had one admonition to give you today, it’s learn scripture. But, you say, the Bible is so big and sometimes confusing…I don’t know where to start. I would say to start with the Psalms. David’s meditations on God are some of the most beautiful words in the Bible. And full of truth. Or study the words of Jesus in the gospels. Some scripture suggestions are below.
Remember, what you put in, you’ll get back out. So what are you putting in your head and heart today?
Great scriptures to start with:
FEAR/WORRY:
Matthew 6:25-34 – Do not worry
Psalm 91 – For protection
John 14:1-4 – Do not let your heart be troubled
GOD’S LOVE & MERCY:
Psalm 86 – God’s mercy
Zephaniah 3:17 – God sings over us
FOR STRENGTH:
Isaiah 40:28-31 – Giving power to the weak
Isaiah 43:1-2 – Going through the fire
Get in your bible and let your Bible get into you! I heard a friend recently say after she started reading about a chapter of her Bible everyday “This is amazing, why wasn’t I doing this sooner?”
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