Posted by Psalm 119:97-99
“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands are always with me and make me wiser than my enemies. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.”
Think Out Loud
David’s life focus is always toward God’s written word. He knows that the Law is the fountain of wisdom that never runs dry. He also knows that God’s word makes him wiser than those around him who would plot against him. God’s word gives him more insight than all his teachers who were not acquainted with the Scriptures. The word “meditate” in verse 97 is significant in that it carries the idea of musing or muttering, which means to talk aloud to one’s self. Reasoning aloud was a common and most powerful practice in the ancient world. God’s people marked their mind with the Scriptures by reasoning and praying them aloud. There is a great benefit to be derived from hearing ourselves speaking God’s word, and David did this all day long!
Think God’s Thoughts
David understood the power of thinking, speaking, and practicing God’s written word. He knew it was aligning his thoughts and his conduct with the Scriptures that brought God’s wisdom into his life. The principle is quite simple, the Scriptures are the product of God’s thinking; They were inspired by the Holy Spirit to be written down for the benefit of all generations to come. By training ourselves to think according to God’s word, we will then be thinking along the same lines as He does. So when the Holy Spirit speaks to us we will be more familiar with His voice, because He always speaks in line with the Scriptures He inspired.
In 2 Timothy 3:15 Paul commends Timothy for his commitment to learning the Scriptures, writing; “and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” He also wrote to the Corinthian Church that Christ has become for us the wisdom from God, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30). Once again Paul writes to the Church at Colossae saying that only in Christ “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
Change Your Life by Changing Your Thoughts
Our thoughts govern our emotions, which influence our decisions, which drive our behavior. Many people come to Christ, and never intentionally change their way of thinking so they can hear God’s voice, and begin growing in the wisdom and revelation of Christ. Paul prayed for the Church at Ephesus; “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17). It is only by training ourselves to think so we can live according to God’s word, will we begin to recognize God’s thoughts when they come to us. A Change of life begins with a change of thoughts (see Romans 12:1-2).
We the Church have the Holy Spirit living within us, something David never had. The Holy Spirit will assist us in transforming our thoughts and behavior through meditating on the Scriptures. We too can be made wiser than those around us who may plot against us, and receive more insight that teachers who do not know God or His wisdom. What we have received (as Paul said) “is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words” (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).
So, fill your heart and Mind with God’s word so His wisdom and knowledge can flow into your life, and cause you to be of immense blessing to those around you. Manage your emotions by controlling your thoughts. Practice thinking, speaking, praying, and walking in the light of God’s written word as David did. Be wise, Be intentional, Be patient, and Be encouraged! -JSP