Help me
understand the meaning of your commandments,
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 119:27 NLT
This verse offers two key areas for meditation: God’s laws and God’s deeds. By meditating on both, our faith will be strengthened. Let’s break this down.
and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 119:27 NLT
This verse offers two key areas for meditation: God’s laws and God’s deeds. By meditating on both, our faith will be strengthened. Let’s break this down.
God’s laws
Did you learn
the Ten Commandments when you were young? Since I grew up in the Lutheran church, I had a strong
understanding of God’s law. I still have a bracelet I wore to Sunday school as
a child. It has silver links with little charms of each of the ten
commandments.
I’m grateful that I grew up with a deep appreciation and respect for God’s laws. His laws aren’t meant to steal the joy from our lives. They are meant to protect, guide, and lead us to the abundant life He promises.
I’ve come to understand the value of God’s law more as a mother. Teaching my children to be careful around electrical outlets, fire, barbed wire fences, ponds and chemicals has not always been easy. I remember them crying when I said “No” to these dangers.
When my children were very young, they didn’t understand why these things could hurt them. But I understood the dangers, and I risked listening to their protests to protect and guide them. I wanted them to choose wisely so they could live the best life possible.
Tip: See Exodus 20 to meditate on the Ten
Commandments.
I’m grateful that I grew up with a deep appreciation and respect for God’s laws. His laws aren’t meant to steal the joy from our lives. They are meant to protect, guide, and lead us to the abundant life He promises.
I’ve come to understand the value of God’s law more as a mother. Teaching my children to be careful around electrical outlets, fire, barbed wire fences, ponds and chemicals has not always been easy. I remember them crying when I said “No” to these dangers.
When my children were very young, they didn’t understand why these things could hurt them. But I understood the dangers, and I risked listening to their protests to protect and guide them. I wanted them to choose wisely so they could live the best life possible.
God does the same thing with us. He knows why the “bad” things we want will
hurt us. He understands the big picture. He even risks our protests
and our turning away from Him to protect and guide us. He wants the best life
possible for me and for you. That’s the function of His law, and it is a worthy
focus for meditation.
God’s deeds
Remembering
God’s wonderful deeds is a way to anchor your faith. You can study His
marvelous acts in the Old Testament, such as delivering the Israelites from Egypt
in Exodus. You can study Jesus’ miracles in the Gospels. You can also read the
book of Acts to learn how the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples when the
church was established.
You can also remember God’s wonderful deeds in your own life. Make a timeline of events from the last year, five years, ten years, or however long you like. Write down the major events—good and bad—and note the wonderful things God brought out of them.
Tip: Keep a journal just to
record God’s wonderful deeds in your life.
You can also remember God’s wonderful deeds in your own life. Make a timeline of events from the last year, five years, ten years, or however long you like. Write down the major events—good and bad—and note the wonderful things God brought out of them.
Sometimes you can’t find a good thing from a
certain season. But you can note how God brought goodness out of it. For example, I have learned how He developed
perseverance and strength in tough seasons that seemed to produce no benefits.
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Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings and God's peace to you,
Photo from Canva.com
Reflection questions:
1. Which part do you need to meditate on more: God's laws or God's deeds? Why?
2. How can meditating on God's laws and deeds help you this week?
Hi Sarah, I am smiling to myself as meditating on the deeds of God seem easier for me because they seem more positive. Yet, when I ponder the laws, they hold the instruction to walk with Him in obedience. Thank you for feeding me this day. I need both and want both. These days in my life take me closer to God than I have ever been. Losing Kenneth 3 months ago is so difficult, yet God is right here with me and holds me up. I spend time in His Word and on my knees. He gives me strength and joy to live each day for Him, not dwelling on my loss as much. I am grateful. ~ linda @ Being Woven
ReplyDeleteThis is such a wonderful spiritual exercise to do periodically: "Make a timeline of events from the last year, five years, ten years, or however long you like." It really helps us see how God's hand has been on our lives! Even through the tough times, he has never abandoned us.
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