"If you breathe right, you'll move right."

I was told this a couple of weeks ago in karate.  Now, with my athletic background, the same concept has always been pushed, no matter the sport.  After all, if you don't breathe right, how will you expect to do anything? 

I told this same statement to one of my friends who is in fire school right now.  He's been having some trouble with his breathing, and ends up running out of air a lot quicker than others.  He's breathing fine, but he may not be breathing right.  So I encouraged him to breathe slowly, but to focus on a point beyond the finish line.  Meditate on that point so much that you don't realize you are doing what you need to be doing. 

And as the story goes.....This got me thinking.....

The word meditate is related to a term meaning "to muse over."  In Joshua 1:8, God was commanding Joshua to remember His law by "muttering" it to himself, ponder it, muse over it. 

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This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)

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By reading this scripture notice that God doesn't just say to meditate.  He tells us to observe to do according to all that is written in it.  In other words, to live it. 

See, God has made things so easy for us if we would only take the time to meditate on His Word.  All we need to do is keep it in front of us.  Don't worry about everything between you and the finish line.  Focus on the things God wants you to do, and do them.  If we do this, we wouldn't worry so much about life.  Then we'd get to the finish line so much easier.  All because we've meditated on His Word.  We've lived His Word. 

Now please, let me share with you the last part of that verse.  Being prosperous doesn't necessarily mean financially rich.  It does mean you will have spiritual well being.  That is where all the riches come from anyway, right?  Can I hear an "AMEN!"  (Sorry, I was just listening to "Stomp," by Kirk Franklin.)

Meditate on His word, day and night.  Not just at bible studies or on Sundays, but day and night.  We'll do it together.  If you have a hard time understanding something, ask for help.  Until you can get help, meditate on the part of His word that you can understand.

Meditate.

Dear Father God, thank you for giving me the ability to meditate on your Word.  I just pray, as I meditate, you give me the knowledge to apply Your Word in my daily walk.

Nick Manzie