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How do you hear from God? — Part #4 (Hearing God as we meditate on Him.)     Pg.#1

— In this session, we ask: What about MEDITATION?
(I found 14 verses in the ESV Bible that use this word regarding ‘meditating on the things of God’.)

— To meditate: (def.) to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect. (not transcendental meditation)

If you examine scripture you will find that we are actually commanded to meditate of God’s things. SEE Psalm 77:2-12 (ESV) In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.  (3)  When I remember God, I moan; when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah  (4)  You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.  (5)  I consider the days of old, the years long ago.  (6)  I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:  (7)  “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable?  (8)  Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time?  (9)  Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah  (10)  Then I said, “I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”  (11)  I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  (12)  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

— Q1/ However we need to answer the question: WHAT IS MEDITATION?

(More Fill in the Blanks)

(Vs.3)  When I remember God, I moan; when I *meditate, ____ ___________ ____________.

(Vs.6)  I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me *meditate ___ _____ ___________.” Then my spirit made a ____________ ___________:

— So from these verses, what can we understand about meditation? (What about thought process?)

*(ESV) “meditate”=(KJV) “to complain” / Vs.3; “to commune” / Vs.6; “to ponder” / Vs.12…

Sometimes it is more important to meditate on the words of a song/hymn than to sing it.

— As an experiment in this, I ask you to listen, and not to sing along with this song of worship.

It is a very well-known hymn in churches, however, this experiment will only work if you are familiar with it. (My apologies to anyone who doesn’t know the words. However, the tune is very pleasant as well.)

— This works best in isolation where you can escape any distractions, however, in our group setting we will simply have to try to stop any distractions and concentrate on letting the music take our thoughts.

(Click the link to view the YouTube video of ‘What a Friend we have in Jesus’.)

What a Friend We Have in Jesus — Christian Hymn Violin and Guitar cover – YouTube

— Now that you’ve listened and meditated on the tune, assuming you knew the lyrics by heart…

Make note of the phrases and thoughts of the song that came to your mind… LYRICS as follows:
(You can underline sections or jot down thoughts.)

What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear.
And what a privilege to carry, Everything to God in prayer.

Oh, what peace we often forfeit, And oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful, who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy-laden, Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior still our refuge, Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, Thou will find a solace there.

______________________________

After we discuss the thoughts generated by this song, I want us to turn to Mark 14:32-36…   Pg.#2

— Turning our thoughts to EASTER, as we look to the Easter weekend coming…

Mark 14:32-36  And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”  (33)  And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled.  (34)  And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”  (35)  And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.  (36)  And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

— Q1/ Why did Jesus ask Peter, James, and John, to go with Him? (SEE Vs.34)

–Q2/ What did Jesus ask of God the Father? (Vs. 36)

–Q3/ Do we find evidence that Jesus settled His dilemma in the rest of Mark 14?

SEE: Mark 14:41-42  And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  (42)  Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

–Q4/ How can WE follow our Lord’s example, and let go of the desires for our own futures, and instead give it ALL into the hands of God? (Even if it means hard times ahead for us?)

— For that is exactly what our Saviour did, and that is what gives us the victory of our Easter celebrations.
— Jesus knew something about God the Father that enabled Him to trust completely in His Father’s will.

I suggest that the lyrics to this song help us understand what Jesus KNEW about the FATHER:

Therefore the lyrics to this song contain the answer to Q4/ (Click the link to view the video)

(2) “Consider The Lilies”……..Sings Sampaguita – YouTube

‘Consider the Lilies’

Consider the lilies, they don’t toil nor spin,
And there’s not a king with more splendor than them.
Consider the sparrows, they don’t plant nor sow,
But they’re fed by The Master who watches them grow.

Refrain:

We have a Heavenly Father above
With Eyes Full Of Mercy
And A Heart Full Of Love.
He really cares when
Your head Is bowed low.
Consider the lilies and then You Will Know.

May I introduce You to this Friend of Mine,
Who hangs out the stars and tells the sun when to shine.
He kisses the flowers each morning with dew,
But He’s Not Too Busy To Care About You.

Final Question for this session: What did Jesus KNOW about the FATHER that enabled Him to leave the outcome of His future in God the Father’s hands?

— (May I suggest that Jesus KNEW better than any of us, that all of God the Father’s ways are perfect, He is loving, merciful, gracious, and just, and that HIS WILL is always for the best.)

— Does this help us to pray better?

With that song as a reminder of God’s care and friendship, we will enter our prayer time.