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Meditation and Speculation
Speculation can be a healthy part of meditation. In fact, it can
sometimes be hard to meditate deeply without speculating. Any meditation or
speculation is proper as long as it is
based upon love and not greed.
According to THE RANDOM HOUSE DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
(Second Edition Unabridged), "speculate" is defined as "1. to engage
in thought or reflection; meditate (often fol. by on, upon,
or a clause). 2. to indulge in conjectural thought. // The
definition of "speculation" is given as: "1. the contemplation or
consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on
humanity's ultimate destiny."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not
lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of
him, and he himself will make your paths straight"
- The bible is
always correct and should be the first and only thing to look toward
as being the word of Jehovah. The inspired scriptures can "explain
themselves" by
diligent study - this is part of the seeking the righteousness of
Jehovah (Psalms 14:2-3 below) It is important to keep in mind the time of
this writing of this proverb. What did the average Israelite have to
instruct them? They most likely only had the word of God and not
some other scrolls "of human wisdom" to help them explain it. So
with that in mind, it can be safely said that Jehovah provided the
scriptures to be understood to the extent that he would allow and he
encouraged his people to be taught by them. The sayings of Jehovah
is "the pure language".
Psalms 14:2-3 "As for Jehovah, he has looked down from heaven
itself upon the sons of men, to see whether there exists anyone
having insight, anyone seeking Jehovah. They have all turned aside,
they are [all] alike corrupt; There is no one doing good, Not even
one."
- Although I believe this prophesy is for our day (see
Elijah), notice the factual saying that
those truly seeking Jehovah will have true insight. There are
certainly different levels of "insight" ranging from man's insight
to Jehovah's insight.
- To seek Jehovah's insight, we need to test our
beliefs and way of life upon his word and rely on that above all
else. See Daniel 11 comments (verses 33-35).
Proverbs 18:15 "The heart of the understanding one acquires
knowledge, and the ear of wise ones seeks to find knowledge"
2 Corinthians 1:9 "In fact, we felt within ourselves that we had
received the sentence of death. This was that we might have our
trust, not in ourselves, but in the God who raises up the dead."
- We
need to make sure we have full and exclusive trust in God's word and
not be afraid to test a man's word against it.
Jeremiah 17:5-8 "This is what Jehovah has said: "Cursed is the
able-bodied man who puts his trust in earthling man and actually
makes flesh his arm, and whose heart turns away from Jehovah
himself. And he will certainly become like a solitary tree in the
desert plain and will not see when good comes; but he must reside in
parched places in the wilderness, in a salt country that is not
inhabited. Blessed is the able bodied man who puts his trust in
Jehovah, and whose confidence Jehovah has become. And he will
certainly become like a tree planted by the waters, that sends out
its roots right by the watercourse; and he will not see when heat
comes, but his foliage will actually prove to be luxuriant. And in
the year of drought he will not become anxious, nor will he leave
off from producing fruit"
- See Malachi
3:6
Elijah comments
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