Meditating on His Attributes,Works and Creation.

In my previous sharing I mentioned that there is only one time in the New Testament that the NKJV mentions ‘meditate’. I was wrong!

For many of us, we equate meditation with that great sculpture “The Thinker” by Auguste Rodin. It is a man sitting with his elbow on his knee and fist under his chin, contemplating the universe.

But meditation is far from just taking a seat, thinking, and doing nothing. It is not passive, nor powerless. Rather, meditation is reflecting, considering, pondering, and contemplating. This is an active, deliberate effort to do something involving both mind and heart. And to follow this with action.

Meditation is learning to think of God in the busyness of real life. The Apostle Paul concludes his letter to believers in Philippi saying: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” (Philippians 4:8, NKJV).

This could refer to meditating on the Word (which is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous and worthy of praise), which I have covered in my previous video. But it is also true of at least three other things: God’s Attributes, His Works, and His Creation.

Firstly, we should meditate on His Attributes.

In Psalm 63:6 King David says, “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.” We are to meditate on Him, even on our beds! In Psalm 145:5 he says, “I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty.” David would meditate on God Himself by thinking on His attributes.

The Puritan writer Thomas Watson wrote in “The Christian on the Mount” that we should regularly meditate on God’s omniscience (that is His all-knowing character), holiness, wisdom, power, mercy, and truth (https://wordsofgrace.blog/2016/04/06/meditate-on-the-attributes-of-god/).

Some ideas to meditate on His attributes are:

-      Do a search for a list of all the attributes of God revealed in the Bible.

-      Pick an attribute of God to meditate on.

-      Read the bible dictionary definition of that attribute.

-      Search for and read Biblical passages that mention this attribute.

-      Spend time during the day reflecting on this concept.

-    Try to engage your imagination and visualize God in this attribute (you could use an object to represent God in this attribute – e.g. a picture of a mountain to represent God’s power).

-      Find hymns and spiritual songs that address this attribute and use them to worship Him.

-      Find an image to illustrate this attribute, put it as your desktop or smart phone wallpaper for the week.

-      Journal a letter from God to yourself by starting “I am the God of X who comes to you now and….” where X is the attribute you chose. Let Him complete the letter with a “now” word for you.

Secondly, we should meditate on His Works.

In Psalm 77:12 the Psalmist says, “I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds”. In Psalm 119:27 it says “I meditate on Your wonderful works” and in Psalm 143:5, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands”.

We are to take time to meditate on God’s wonderful works. This could be His miraculous deeds as recounted in Scripture or even His miracles, healings, works of salvation and interventions in our life or the life of those around us or throughout history.

Some ideas to meditate on his works are:

-      Meditate on one miracle or healing in the Bible.

    Choose one miraculous intervention of God in your life in the past and meditate on it.

-      Meditate on one testimony of God’s healing, provision, guidance etc. that someone has told you about or you have read about.

As you meditate on these events you should be thinking particularly of what they show you about who God is and how this can encourage you right now in the situations you are going through.

Thirdly, we should meditate on His Creation.

Scriptures tell us we are to consider or meditate on the heavens (Psalm 8:3), the flowers and birds (Luke 12:24-28), the ants (Proverbs 6:6) and many other things that He has created. Indeed Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”

He reveals Himself in creation, therefore we can meditate on His creation to dwell upon Him. In Celtic Christian tradition it says there are two books of God: Scriptures and the book of nature. He is revealed in His creation as one who takes care of us, is beautiful, powerful, perfect in timing, perfect in construction and so much more. 

From the grandest heavenly bodies seen through a telescope to the minutest organisms seen through a microscope, from the macroscopic views of His creation to the microscopic, God reveals more of Himself to us!

Some ideas to meditate on his creation are:

-      Choose one thing in God’s creation to meditate on – it could be a broad vista or individual things such as a leaf, flower, stone, insect, animal or even a drop of water!

-      Immerse yourself in this creation by using all your senses. Touch it, smell it, hear it, gaze at it and if possible, taste it! Ask God to surround you with His presence and to touch you in a special way through creation.

-      As you look at this aspect of His creation and meditate on it ask God, “Father what do you want to reveal to me of Yourself in this Your creation?” He will surely answer you.

  Drawing or painting what you are meditating on can help tremendously as can playing inspiring music.

During this week try to meditate on one of God’s attributes, one of His works (a healing or miracle) and one thing from His creation using the tips that I have given you.

I would love to hear back of any testimonies from your times of meditation. Do let me know.

God bless you.