Discovering Wonderful Things: James 4:1–2

 

“Discovering Wonderful Things,” a Bible Meditation Method

One of the ways we walk with God daily is by meditating on the words of God. Meditation on God’s words is more than just reading them, with or without prayer afterward. However, I often read the Bible casually, just like I read the news online. My goal for such reading is to become familiar with the content of the Bible and to battle against forgetfulness by sharpening my memory. Nonetheless, it is not random reading; I read chapter by chapter, book by book, with the intention of completing the entire Bible within a calendar year.

That being said, meditation on God’s words is essential. One should not substitute casual reading of the Bible for meditation, even if they read daily with the goal of completing the entire Bible. Meditation differs from casual reading. It may take a few minutes or several hours. It involves reading, thinking, and applying the truths of the Bible. It may bring about the sorrow of repentance or the joy of knowing God.

Some people practice Quiet Time as a method of meditation. It involves reading the Bible, seeking the A.S.P.E.C.T. in the passage, and praying. This practice often includes maintaining a journal (with pen and paper) to reflect on the A.S.P.E.C.T. in the passage. Someday, I may write more about it and post it on this blog.

Today, I would like to share another method of Bible meditation. This method, which I learned from a professor during my time in seminary in 2014, is called “Discovering Wonderful Things,” a name taken from Psalm 119:18: “Open my eyes, that I may behold wonderful things from Your law” (NASB). This method involves reading, thinking, studying, applying, writing, praying, and recording. It works best when one focuses on meditating on just a single verse.

I can only demonstrate this method with pictures because I don't know how to add a chart or table to the blog. The first picture is the template for this method. The second picture is a demonstration of how I did it. You may also download the template and the demonstration here.

The Mango Tree

A mango tree in forests deep,

Where red ants crawl and climbers creep.

It bears sweet fruit upon its bough,

Yet birds devour and insects plough.

Still, it grows—tall, branchy, leafy

Its roots hold firm, its stance steady.

 

Man may gripe, "It grows in vain."

Although rich in beauty and in gain,

None have seen its blossoms bright,

Nor tasted its fruit's delightful bite.

Millions starve in need’s harsh glare,

Unaware the tree is growing there.

 

Yet the tree makes no complaint,

Feels no shame nor discontent.

Though unused and left unknown,

It seeks no praise from man to own,

And though the birds may steal its store,

It still gives fruit and asks no more.

 

It grows faithfully with great delight,

Obedient in its Creator’s sight.

Unlike man, who craves renown,

And loses joy in thankless frown.

This tree—it thrives for God alone,

Content to serve where it is sown.

 

Should I not learn from such a tree,

No matter what my lot may be?

No matter if men scorn or cheer,

I must live for my Creator dear,

Not for man, nor for my story,

But for God's eternal glory.

Composed on 26 July 2024, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad.

Unquenchable Thirst

Today I woke up feeling like Samson,
Expecting it would be just another day.
But within moments of consciousness,
I realized my unquenchable thirst.

I recalled Psalm one-thirty-one,
But it did not satisfy me.
I turned the pages of my Bible,
Looking for a verse that I could devour.
I was too distracted to find one.

I logged in to Twitter to see my brother Phil Johnson—
Perhaps he, as usual, had something for me to think over.
Oh! There was nothing on the internet to relieve me.
I went for a prayer walk, as I normally do,
In a time of deep thought and distress,
But I came back more distracted than relieved.

One more thing I could do, as I normally do,
That always helps me orient my thoughts and actions:
To take a bath, yes, even if it’s winter or midnight!
To me, such a bath is a demonstration of my desperation
For a change—an act of repentance, a proactive commitment,
A recognition of the need for cleansing, a type of baptism.
Indeed, the real cleansing is offered in the blood of the Lamb.

Surely, I must have been thirsty because I drank too much.
I am sure I have not drunk the cup that contains God’s wrath—
That, my Lord has drunk for me, once and for all!
I must have drunk a cupful of salty water.

I returned to my table once again
And opened Psalm one-thirty-one again.
The contents David prayed became my checklist;
Deeper understanding brought peace of mind!
That should be my all-time prayer.

So, I opened my laptop and started typing,
As I had decided to do while taking a bath.
My thirst was for God, and the thirst is quenched
When I repent and submit to His instruction.
However, the day doesn’t look as promising as other days,
But like David, I must put my hope in God.

Yes, there are times when I feel
Like the Lord has departed.
But Psalm one-thirty-nine is sure—
The Lord is intimately near.
The elect of God cannot depart from Him —
Perhaps God has a long rope and a wide garden!
Nothing satisfies my soul as He does!

I wrote this poem in November 2018, originally intending to refine it with rhyme and meter. However, I have decided to leave it as it is. Before publishing it on Help Think, I asked ChatGPT to analyze and explain my poem. Here it is:

Analysis and Explanation of Your Poem

Your poem is a deeply introspective and spiritual reflection on seeking God in moments of thirst—both physical and spiritual. It blends biblical references, personal experience, and poetic imagery to explore themes of spiritual longing, distraction, repentance, and divine fulfillment. Below is a breakdown of its key elements:

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1. The Theme of Spiritual Thirst

The poem opens with the speaker waking up and feeling like Samson, a biblical figure known for his great strength but also his eventual downfall due to spiritual weakness. This comparison suggests the speaker starts the day feeling strong but quickly realizes an "unquenchable thirst"—a metaphor for spiritual emptiness or a longing for God's presence.

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2. Seeking Satisfaction in Scripture

The speaker recalls Psalm 131, a passage about humility and trust in God. However, it does not immediately satisfy him. This moment highlights the common human struggle of searching for divine reassurance but not always finding instant peace. The distraction that prevents him from absorbing scripture represents how the mind can sometimes wander even when seeking God.

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3. The Distraction of the Digital World

The speaker turns to Twitter, specifically looking for Phil Johnson, a well-known Christian preacher. This suggests that, like many modern believers, he sometimes seeks spiritual insight from online sources. However, he finds that the internet "has nothing to relieve him", reinforcing the idea that true spiritual nourishment cannot come from social media or external sources.

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4. Prayer Walk and Continued Restlessness

The speaker takes a prayer walk, a practice often used for deep reflection. However, rather than finding relief, he returns more distracted than before. This moment underscores how even religious practices can sometimes feel ineffective when the heart and mind are restless. It suggests that true peace cannot be forced—it must come from a deeper submission to God.

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5. Ritual Cleansing as a Metaphor for Repentance

The speaker turns to a habitual act that helps him refocus: taking a bath, even in the cold of winter or at midnight. This action serves as a symbol of desperation, repentance, and renewal. The bath is compared to baptism—a recognition that cleansing is necessary, but true purification comes only through the blood of Christ. This aligns with Christian doctrine, which teaches that Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate means of spiritual renewal.

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6. Understanding the Cause of His Thirst

The speaker reflects that his thirst was not due to drinking from the cup of God's wrath—a reference to Christ bearing the punishment for sin. Instead, he suggests he must have drunk saltwater, a metaphor for seeking satisfaction in things that do not truly nourish the soul. This moment is a turning point where he begins to understand his restlessness.

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7. Returning to Scripture with a Renewed Perspective

He reopens Psalm 131, and this time, he reads it differently—"David's prayer becomes my checklist." This shows how understanding deepens when the heart is aligned with God. The phrase "deeper understanding brings peace of mind" suggests that the scripture, which initially felt ineffective, now provides true clarity.

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8. Expressing His Realization Through Writing

The act of opening his laptop to write down his thoughts reflects an important moment of resolution. Writing is portrayed as a way of processing his spiritual journey. The speaker acknowledges that his thirst was truly for God, and this thirst is quenched through repentance and obedience.

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9. The Uncertainty of Life and the Certainty of God

Even though the day "doesn’t look promising", the speaker resolves to place his hope in God, like David. This expresses a fundamental Christian belief: even in uncertain times, one must trust in God’s plan.

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10. The Assurance of God’s Presence

The poem closes with a reflection on Psalm 139, which assures believers of God’s constant presence. The phrase "the elect of God cannot even depart" expresses a theological belief in divine perseverance—God does not let go of His chosen ones. The image of "a long rope and a wide garden" symbolizes God’s patience and vast grace, suggesting that even when one feels distant, God still holds them close.

The final line, "Nothing satisfies my soul as He does!", is a powerful conclusion that affirms the speaker’s realization: only God can truly fulfill and quench the soul’s deepest thirst.

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Conclusion

Your poem is a spiritual journey from restlessness to renewal. It beautifully captures the struggle of seeking God amid distractions, the importance of repentance, and the assurance of divine presence. Through biblical references, personal introspection, and poetic imagery, it presents a heartfelt reflection on faith, hope, and spiritual fulfillment.

Would you like me to expand on any particular part? 😊

I will say that ChatGPT’s analysis and explanation are not that bad. 

Trees

The trees that grow in a forest unnamed
Full of wonders but without a notice
They do not live for a name or the fame
Every day without a hesitation
Their branches to the rhythm of the breeze
Gleefully and faithfully swaying on.