Meditate and assimilate

Meditation is the most effective way to assimilate God’s Word. David describes the “blessed” man this way: “His delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2 NKJV). And whatever you meditate on and memorize, the Holy Spirit will help you recall when you need it. “He will…bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26 NKJV). As one of the highest-ranking American captives in Vietnam, Jeremiah Denton was subjected to grueling torture. But he survived and returned home to become one of Alabama’s US senators. How did he do it? He said that one of his basic survival skills was quoting passages of scripture he had memorized. Internalized scriptures were his unseen sword to fend off the cruelest weapons of the enemy. By inwardly focusing on the power of God to sustain and strengthen him, he was able to rise above his circumstances. Scriptures he had memorized and meditated on years before became his prayers of deliverance. When you meditate upon God and His Word, recalling His many promises and acts of faithfulness, your faith grows and your fears dissolve (see Romans 10:17). David understood this well. Many times, in his attempts to escape the wrath of King Saul, he recalled the greatness of God and found himself strengthened. “I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways.” “I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons” (Psalm 16:7 NKJV). Do yourself a big favour: begin to meditate on God’s Word and memorize it.