October 9. Matthew ch 9-11
MEDITATION/ CONTEMPLATION/ THINKING
“Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened this way. While his mother Mary was engaged to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph, her husband to be, was a righteous man, and because he did not want to disgrace her, he intended to divorce her privately. When he had contemplated (MEDITATED/THOUGHT) this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, because the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.”
Matthew 1:18-20 NET
GOOD DAY. Meditation is a word that does not have any specific universal definition. Different religions and spiritual organisations vary in definition as much as they vary in practice. It is a way of connecting with God, also used to calm down and relieve stress. Christians have ascribed it to other religions and abandoned it. However, since God said to us that we should meditate, Joshua 1:8, we need to form our practice around what those who meditated in the bible did. One of the stories that readily comes to my mind is the story of Joseph the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus.
What is the law of Moses that governs the marriage of a maid?
“However, if the claim is true and proof of the young woman’s virginity can’t be produced, then the city’s elders will bring the young woman to the door of her father’s house. The citizens of that city must stone her until she dies because she acted so sinfully in Israel by having extramarital sex while still in her father’s house. Remove such evil from your community!”
Deuteronomy 22:20-21 CEB
If the proof of a woman’s virginity could not be produced, the woman was taken to the front of her father’s house and stoned to death.
Joseph needed to connect with God on his decision about marrying Mary. He must have been thinking of the above precept on knowing that Mary was already pregnant outside wedlock and not by him. The righteous Christian therefore will meditate by thinking deeply on the word or precept of God governing the situation facing him. While he does this, understanding and instruction will be given to him. The Christian thinks about the precept or law of God to connect with God because the word is God. Look at Joshua 1:8 today and try to fix your thoughts on it. Tomorrow, we shall look at some specifics of meditation.
PRAY: Teach me Lord to guide the meditations of my heart according to Your precepts.