celebration of discipline: meditation, definition and biblical importance

The first four disciplines, meditation, prayer, fasting and study, are grouped as the "inner disciplines". I plan on taking each discipline, breaking out subsections and discussing each. The first being meditation.

Foster begins by stating the biblical significance of meditation. He does this in most of the chapters. From the psalmists, to Eli teaching Samuel, to Jeremiah, to Jesus, the bible is smattered with the discipline of meditation. He defines it simply, time spent with God, listening. In his own words, "the ability to hear God's voice and obey his word" (p17). If you desire to commune with God, repentance and obedience will be key features in your practice.

The idea of sitting in silence awaiting direction is completely opposite of what the world deems as "productive". We surround ourselves with noise, hurry, crowds, music, TV. Whatever we can to avoid quiet and a perceived loneliness. But here, the Lord wants us to have that silence. Only when we are quiet can we truly listen.

This truth show us that God wants to communicate with us. He wants to be in fellowship with me, now that's an awesome thought. Scripture shows God fulfilling this desire. The Lord often called Moses to him, sometimes for days, to speak with him. And when the Israelites refused God's intimacy (Exodus 20:19), the Lord communicated through prophets and judges.