What's your word?

There are several people I know that start their year by choosing a word, a word that they want to utilize in the coming year. I always thought it was interesting and decided that I too would choose a word for myself. This past year in my Bible reading I have come across the word "meditation" several times and discovered how often God asks us to meditate, especially on His word. 
I have been thinking just how important mediation is in the Christian life. Did you know that mediation promises success and that the word success is only found once in scripture? In Joshua chapter one and verse eight we find: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." God told Joshua that he needed to mediate on the word of God in order to know the word of God and understand it better. By understanding God's word better we are able to live it, and then make it a part of our daily life. The godly man mentioned in Psalm chapter one is an individual whose "delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." It goes on to say that he shall be like a tree that is planted by the water, will bring forth fruit and not wither but rather prosper. I believe he prospers because he is soaked in the word of God.
There are many who emphasize the importance of memorizing scripture and I agree that it is wise to store up God's word in our hearts. However, I believe there is a greater importance in meditating on God's word versus simply memorizing it. Please hear me out, again I agree that it is important to memorize God's word but what good does it do us if we merely memorize scripture without meditating on it and allowing it to change our life?
Years ago I heard an evangelist preach from Joshua 1:8. He gave the example of how a cow consumes it's nutrients. This large creature gets everything it needs from grass! It eats the grass then proceeds to get every bit of nutrients the grass can offer by chewing on it for a long time. We all have witnessed a herd of cows resting comfortably in the shade slowly moving their mouth from side to side. We need to do the same with the word of God. When we take the time to chew or muse on the truths found there we, like the cow, will gain all the spiritual nutrients necessary to develop into a mature, fruit bearing christian.
Over and over again you will find the word "Selah" mentioned in the book of psalms. David is asking his readers to meditate on the truth disclosed, he is not asking us to memorize it. I believe that as we meditate on the word of God, allowing it to soak into our hearts and minds, it will eventually become a part of who we are and what we do every day. We are to have the mind of Christ and that only comes by internalizing His word and we do that by meditating on it daily.
Do you know what the word "meditate" means? Here is the definition: Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state. Is that not what we are to do as Christians? Are we not to achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm state? As we meditate on God's word we begin to understand who He is and what He desires for and from us. We begin to understand that He cares for us and wants us to trust Him with our life. He desires for us to know the peace that passes all understanding. When we begin to grasp the character of God we can have a mind that is clear and a heart that is at rest.
I don't know about you but this is something that I desire to have in my life so I choose meditation as my word for 2019. In the coming year I want to take a verse or even just a phrase or thought from my quiet time and meditate on it throughout the day. I pray that by this time next year my knowledge of God is greater and my faith in Him is deeper.
What about you? What is your word for 2019? I would love to hear which one you have chosen!

If you would like to listen to the message that I heard so many years ago on "God's syllabus for Success" just click here