Deep Dive into Habits of Grace by David Mathis - Warm Yourself at the Fire of Meditation
Christian meditation is defined as "deep thinking on the truths and spiritual realities revealed in Scripture for the purposes of understanding, application, and prayer." This practice fundamentally differs from secular meditation, which often entails emptying the mind; instead, Christian meditation focuses on filling the mind with "biblical and theological substance—truth outside of ourselves." It is guided by the gospel, shaped by the Scriptures, reliant upon the Holy Spirit, and exercised in faith.
This discipline serves as "the missing link between Bible intake and prayer," acting as a "bridge discipline" that connects hearing God's voice with responding to Him. It involves slowly digesting God's word, "savoring the texture, enjoying the juices," and "chewing on that content until we begin to feel some of its magnitude in our hearts." This process is vital for "warming ourselves at the fire of meditation," preventing coldness after reading and preparing the soul for meaningful prayer.
Meditation has deep historical roots, with biblical figures like Isaac, Joshua, and the Psalmist explicitly practicing or being commanded to meditate on God's law. Historically, it held an "enduring place in the history of the church," especially celebrated by the Puritans. While Christian meditation "very well may strengthen our brain and lower our blood pressure," its "even more significant" benefit is "the good that it does for our souls," fostering spiritual nourishment, transformation, and ultimately, communion with God.
Reformed Theologian GPT: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-XXwzX1gnv-reformed-theologian
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