Holy Meditation

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

 

"Birds are seldom taken in their flight;  the more we are upon the wing of heavenly thoughts, the more we escape snares."

O that we would remember this, and never tarry long on the ground lest the fowler ensnare us.  We need to be much taken up with divine things, rising in thought above these temporal matters, or else the world will entangle us, and we shall be like birds held with limed twigs, or encompassed in a net.  Holy meditation can scarcely be overdone; in this age we fear it never is.  We are too worldly, and think too much of the fleeting trifles of time, and so the enemy gets an advantage of us, and takes a shot at us.  O for more wing and more use of the flight we have! 

Communion with Jesus is not only sweet in itself, but it has a preserving power by bearing us aloft, above gun-shot of the enemy.  Thoughts of heaven prevent discontent with our present lot, delight in God drives away love to the world, and joy in our Lord Jesus expels pride and carnal pleasure:  thus we escape from many evils by rising above them.

Up, then, my heart!  Up from the weedy ditches and briery hedges of the world into the clear atmosphere of heaven.  There where the dews of grace are born, and the sun of righteousness is Lord paramount, and the blessed wind of the Spirit blows from the everlasting hills, thou wilt find rest on the wing, and sing for joy where enemies cannot even see thee.

C. H. Spurgeon from "Flowers From A Puritan's Garden"