“The Unseen Sculptor”

What are the benefits of Scripture meditation? They are beyond telling. Here, however, are just some of the benefits the Bible offers to those of us who will take the time to meditate: (1) success—Joshua 1:8, (2) understanding—Psalm 119:99, (3) the ability to wisely discern between right and wrong—Psalm 119:11.

But the one that is most pivotal occurs in Psalm 1—spiritual freshness. This psalm makes it clear that one of the secrets of staying spiritually fresh is to send one’s roots down into the Word of God by meditation.

In my teens I knew a man, a miner by trade, whose spiritual freshness and radiance were responsible for turning many people to Jesus Christ. Just before he died, and in the company of several other Christians, I asked him: “What is the secret of your spiritual freshness? You always seem to be on top of things, always radiant. Tell me how you maintain this inner poise and power.” He replied in one word—meditation.

I pressed him for some further thoughts on the subject. This is not a verbatim quotation, but as far as I can remember, this is what he said: “Meditation is letting your heart become the workshop of the unseen Sculptor who chisels in its secret chambers the living forms that contribute to character development and an increasing likeness to Jesus Christ.” That old man, now in heaven, was one of the greatest illustrations I have ever known of the spiritual freshness and fruitfulness that comes from meditating on God’s Word. His experience can be ours—if we meditate.

Further Study

Rm 10:1-9; Dt 11:18; Pr 6:23; 2Co 3:3

What happens when the Word is in our hearts?

What was Paul’s testimony of the Corinthians?