by Timothy W. Burnett
During their return, Isaac had come back from one of his wells and one evening he went out to meditate in a field. And as he looked up he saw the arrival of camels. Rebekah then lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac she lightly dismounted off of her camel. She had asked the servant who the man was that she saw. He told her that he was his master. The servant told Isaac al that happened and Isaac married Rebekah. He loved her (Genesis 24:61-67).
Some day soon I want to spend more time on this wonderfully true love story. But for now I will focus on Isaac's time of meditation. This one account defines Isaac's meek and disciplined relationship with God in heaven. The last record of Isaac's meekness toward God is shown in Genesis 22:5-17 where he meekly allowed his father Abraham to bind him for a sacrifice. Isaac witnessed God provide an animal sacrifice for his father. No doubt, he knew about the blessing that God gave to Abraham. Isaac learned from his father and mother how to be meek toward God.
One big element of this kind of walk with God was Isaac's personal meditation time as seen in Genesis 24:63. He went out to the field where he could be alone and meditated. What did he meditate on? What did it mean to meditate? What were the benefits of meditation?
The book of Psalms shines more light on meditation, "And this is my infirmity. But I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the Lord. Surely I will remember your wonders of old. I will meditate also of all your work. And talk of your doings" (Psalms 77:10-12).
Some of the basic elements of meditation are remembering and talking. Both ultimately come from the thoughts of the mind. In Psalms 77 Asaph spoke of remembering the years of the mighty authority of the most high God, and remembering the works of the Lord and His wonders of past times. People learn of God's word and His mighty works by direct experience or first hand witness, by hearing from others or by reading. God wants His people to rehash His mighty works and wonders that occurred over the years. Think on them with loving and thankful hearts toward Him. He teaches us to talk about His works. Talk about them to ourselves and/or talk about them with others in the Church.
Even now, as God's saints continue to grow in fellowship with God, they experience new things to meditate on. Whether our days are good or bad, God still wants us to meditate on His mighty works of the past, on His words and on His promises. Talk about them to ourselves and with others. Why? Because God wants us to be comforted in the name of Jesus Christ.
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