POWER OF MEDITATION: POSSIBILITIES MULTIPLIED

“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”                     1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV)

Brother Lawrence, in The Practice of the Presence of God, expressed a profound spiritual principle: many things are possible to the person who hopes, more to the person who believes, and still more to the person who loves. But to the person who combines these three virtues, the possibilities become extraordinary.

This observation brings us to one of the greatest powers of biblical meditation: the cultivation and exercise of faith, hope and love.

These three virtues are not merely religious concepts to be admired. They are spiritual capacities to be developed, strengthened and practised. They determine how we perceive God, respond to circumstances, approach difficulties and relate to others.

Meditation provides an important means of cultivating all three. As we dwell upon the Word and attributes of God, faith becomes stronger, hope becomes brighter, and love becomes deeper.

Together, they open the believer's life to extraordinary possibilities under the power and will of God.

Faith: Meditating On What God Can Do

Jesus declared: “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”  Mark 9:23

Faith is the spiritual capacity to trust God beyond the limitations of visible circumstances and knowledge sense. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Romans 10:17

Faith grows through the reception of God's Word. Meditation deepens that reception by keeping divine truth before the mind until it becomes established in the heart. When we meditate on God's omnipotence, our understanding of His ability expands.

When we contemplate His faithfulness, confidence in His promises strengthens. When we consider His wisdom, we become less dependent upon our limited understanding. Abraham provides a remarkable example. Romans 4:19–21 describes how he faced the apparent impossibility of having a child in old age. Yet he remained persuaded that God was able to perform what He had promised. Abraham did not deny the physical circumstances. Rather, he gave greater weight to God's promise than to the limitations of nature.

That is the operation of faith. Meditation magnifies God's ability in our consciousness until the apparent impossibility of the situation no longer dominates our thinking.

The person who meditates continually upon the power of God becomes increasingly capable of trusting Him for extraordinary things.

Hope: Meditating On What God Has Promised

Faith and hope are closely related, but they are not identical.

Faith trusts God and His Word. Hope looks forward with confident expectation to the fulfilment of His promises. The Psalmist declares: “I hope in Your word.” Psalm 119:81

Notice the foundation of his hope: the Word of God. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking. It is expectation anchored in God's character and promises.

Romans 15:4 explains that through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures, believers might have hope. This establishes a direct relationship between Scripture and hope. When we meditate upon God's promises, hope is nourished. When we remember His past faithfulness, hope is renewed. When we contemplate His eternal purposes, present difficulties become less overwhelming.

Consider Jeremiah's experience in Lamentations 3:21–23. Surrounded by sorrow and devastation, he deliberately recalled God's mercies and faithfulness.

He declared: “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have hope.” Lamentations 3:21

What a powerful description of meditation!

He recalled something to his mind, and hope emerged. His circumstances had not necessarily changed. What changed was the truth occupying his thoughts. Meditation therefore becomes a practical instrument for restoring hope in seasons of disappointment, grief, uncertainty and adversity.

Love: Meditating On Who God Is

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8  Love is not merely something God demonstrates; it is an essential attribute of His nature. The more deeply we meditate upon God's character, the more reasons we discover to love Him. We contemplate His mercy and become grateful. We meditate upon His patience and become humbled.

We consider His holiness and develop reverence. We dwell upon His sacrifice at Calvary and become overwhelmed by His love.

John writes: “We love Him because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 Our love is a response to the revelation of His love. This is why meditation on the person and work of Christ is indispensable to spiritual growth. The believer who continually contemplates divine love becomes increasingly capable of loving God and others.

Love also transforms obedience. The person who merely fears punishment may obey reluctantly. But the person who loves God increasingly desires to please Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  John 14:15  Love therefore supplies obedience with inward motivation.

Meditation deepens the knowledge of God; knowledge nurtures love; and love transforms obedience into willing devotion.

Meditation On The Attributes Of God

How, then, do we practically cultivate faith, hope and love together? One powerful method is deliberate meditation upon the attributes of God. Meditate upon His omnipotence. Jeremiah 32:17, declares that nothing is too hard for God. Let this truth strengthen your faith.

Meditate upon His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22–23 and remember His mercies. Allow hope to rise.

Meditate upon His love. Romans 5:8, which reveals God's love demonstrated through Christ's death for sinners. Let gratitude and affection deepen.

Meditate upon His wisdom. Romans 11:33 and acknowledge the depth of His knowledge and judgments. Learn to trust Him where your understanding ends.

Meditate upon His immutability. Malachi 3:6 declares that the Lord does not change. His unchanging nature provides stability in an unstable world.

The purpose is not merely to memorize these attributes. It is to allow the knowledge of God to reshape our thinking, expectations, affections and conduct.

All Things Are Possible

“With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 This is the foundation of Christian confidence. The possibilities do not originate in human determination, positive thinking or mental concentration. They originate in the limitless power and wisdom of God.

Neither does faith mean that every personal desire must be fulfilled exactly as requested. Genuine faith submits to God's will, hope rests in His faithfulness, and love trusts His goodness even when His ways exceed our understanding.

Meditation brings us into deeper acquaintance with this God.

It teaches us to trust His power, anticipate His faithfulness and delight in His person.

The believer's responsibility is therefore clear: cultivate faith, nourish hope and deepen love through continual meditation upon Scripture.

Do not allow your thoughts to remain permanently occupied by the magnitude of your problems. Give deliberate attention to the greatness of God.

Meditate until His power strengthens your faith.

Meditate until His promises renew your hope.

Meditate until His character enlarges your love.

And allow these virtues to govern your prayers, decisions, relationships, service and daily conduct.

Faith opens our hearts to God's possibilities. Hope keeps us expectant of His promises. Love binds us to His person and purposes. When all three are cultivated through meditation, the believer becomes increasingly prepared to experience, endure and accomplish what God makes possible.

For with God, all things are possible.