By Pastora Monique Lopez Ong
Intimacy is a word that means ‘into me.’ You do not hide anything from the Lord and that is how close you are. Psalms 1:1-2 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.” It is good that you go to church and hear His word but do you have a personal relationship with Him? Do you read the Bible?
You cannot separate Jesus and the word because the Bible said, “in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. If you say that you have a personal relationship with Jesus, that means you know Him. And if you say that yo know HIm, that means you read the Bible everyday. Many people have Bible sin their homes but they are only for display. You cannot just focus on the presence without the word. The word of God is not a book; He is a person. When you read the Bible, He talks to you. Nowadays, false news are ont he loose. But not everything you see and hear on social media is correct. For yo not to be deceived, you need to read the truth in God’s word. The Bible is the ultimate standard of truth about anything and everything in the world; it is the ulitmate authority. That is why you should continue to cultivate an intimacy with the word.
What does the word meditate mean? When you eat at a restaurant that serves very delicious food, do you eat very fast? No. You savor the food and eat slowly. If you can do that with food, why not with the word of God? You do not only ready the word; you savor it too. Joshua 1:8 says, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” God is real. He is here. And you can encounter Him is His living word.
Psalms 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible, having 176 verses in it. If you read the Bible and you do not understand, ask God for wisdom. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God,” says Matthew 5:8. If it is the prayer of your heart to learn how, God will give it to you. Ephesians 1:18-21 says, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” God is giving you the authority in the resurrecction power of Jesus Christ. And if you do, it will not be in vain.
How can you meditate on God’s word?
Spend time alone with God - If you say that you have so many things to do when you wake up, you might have to wake up earlier than normal. There is no excuse. Psalms 119:147-148 says, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.” If you need to take long walks or go inside the bathroom to be alone with God, do it. You need to do it everyday and you need to do it in silence. “Fod God alone, o my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is in Him.” Says Psalms 62:5. There is power in silence. Have you ever been with a friend who never stopped talking from the time you were together until you parted? You could not even pipein a thing. Sometimes you need to keep quiet and allow God to speak.
Unhurried. When God is there, do not give Him a time limit. Psalms 119:81 says, “My soul faints with longing for your salvation, but I have put my hope in your word.”
Focused. Try to read using an actual Bible. Do not use your cellphone so you wil not have any distractions. Psalms 119:15 says, “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.” When God “speaks,” He speaks very fast. Ifyou are not focused, you will not hear everything he says. This is a digital generation that has so many distractions.
Delight in your maker. Do you have a friend that you have not seen for so long? How do you feel when you actualy see them again? Is that how you feel when you open your Bible? Are you excited and cannot wait to read His word? Psalms 119:47 says, “for I delight in your commands because I love them.” If not, check you heart.
Remember God’s goodness. Psalms 119:88 says, “In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.” If your plans change and you do not get what you want, how would you feel? Always remember His goodness because He only has good plans for you.
Listening to understand. Psalms 119:27 says, “Cause me to understand the way of your precepts, that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.” When you are reading the word, look for what the Lord really wants to say.
How do you meditate?
Read. Psalms 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Open your bible everyday.
Memorize. Psalms 119:13 says, “I have recited aloud all the regulations that you have given us.” Read it over and over again. Sing it if you have to.
Study. Psalms 119: 15 says, “I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways.” Open the dictionary. Research.
Meditate. Psalms 119:48 says, “And I shall lift up my hands to your commandments, which I love; and I will meditate on your statutes.”
God’s word is alive. You have to love it. He wants to speak to you everyday. But you have to listen to understand. You have to remember His goodness all the time.