Daily meditation is my lifeline. For so many years I tried to cultivate a genuine prayer life. I started setting aside some time in the mornings, especially the weekends- sit down with my Bible and just casually talk to God. When I could not find the words to use, I would use the Scriptures, especially the Psalms. I always found in the words of King David the echo of my own inner voice. Other times, I would be so troubled and distressed that, like Job: I would lay my cause before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. Job 23:4 Then, over a period of time, Jesus shared in a little secret with me: Silence is my worship place, the place inside of me where true communion with God is not only attainable, but it is eternal and uninterrupted.
For me it started when I felt so overwhelmed with the presence of God that I had no desire to talk. I experienced the Silence, first as a gift of pure grace. Now I seek it consciously and enthusiastically. Inner Silence is my hiding place, my sanctuary, away from the appearance of things and circumstances in this World. I am speaking not only about quieting your mouth, I mean suspending the activity of thought. This is something that you can spend all your life trying to learn, but I have an excellent Master. I followed Jesus into that Secret Place, and I have found no need of a better altar.
Note: Meditation and contemplation are ancient spiritual practices, common to all world religions, Christianity no excluded. It is what clearly separates religious ritual from mysticism.
Today I just want to share a few Scriptures that to me, make clear reference to the experience I just described.
- Psalm 27:5
For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; in the secret place of His tent will He hide me; He will set me high upon a rock.
- Psalm 31:20
In the secret place of Your presence You hide them from the plots of men; You keep them secretly in Your pavilion from the strife of tongues.
- Psalm 81:7
You called in distress and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
- Psalm 91:1
[ Psalm 91 ] He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
- Psalm 91:8
Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked.
- Song of Solomon 2:14
[So I went with him, and when we were climbing the rocky steps up the hillside, my beloved shepherd said to me] O my dove, [while you are here] in the seclusion of the clefts in the solid rock, in the sheltered and secret place of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely.
- Isaiah 45:3
And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, that you may know that it is I, the Lord, the God of Israel, Who calls you by your name.
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