Opening the Gates of Heaven Perry Stone

but you shall meditate in it day and night … then you will have good success” (Josh. 1:8). David wrote that the one who meditates day and night in God’s Word would be “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit … and whatever he does shall prosper” (Ps. 1:3). In Psalm 63:6 the writer indicates: “I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.” It is clear that believers must begin and conclude their day by meditating upon the Lord and His Word. T HE T RUE M EANING OF M EDITATE The word meditate is a common word used among secular individuals but does not hold the same meaning as the biblical word meditate . The secular picture of meditation is that of a person sitting on the floor with his or her legs crossed and arms relaxed at the side, eyes closed, and humming a monotone sound. The image is also that of some Asian guru with long hair and a straggly beard, sitting in a room teaching a small group how to relieve stress by blanking out their thoughts or picturing themselves lying on a beach in the Caribbean. The biblical meaning of meditation is not blanking out your thoughts, breathing deep, and exhaling slowly; the biblical word means to quietly muse, ponder, and reflect upon something you have read in the Scriptures or heard preached, or to simply sit alone or in a group quietly and think about the Lord and His goodness toward you.