The Godly Should Meditate on God's Name
affection, that others may perceive you feel those truths of which you speak.
A. The Godly Should Meditate on God's Name The second special characteristic of the godly in the text is, "they thought upon God's name." These saints, when they were together— spoke of God; when they were alone—they thought of God. They
"thought upon his name".
Question. What is meant by God's name?
Answer 1. By the name of God is meant his essence; God's name is put for God himself.
Answer 2. By the name of God is meant his glorious attributes, which are, as it were, the several letters of his name.
Answer 3. By the name of God is meant his worship and ordinances, where his name is called upon. "Go to the place at Shiloh where I once put the Tabernacle to honor my name" (Jer. 7:12). That is, where I first set up my public worship.
Now this name of God, the saints in the text did contemplate, they thought upon his name. Thoughts are the first-born of the soul, the conceptions of the mind, the immediate fruit and outcome of a rational being. "Thoughts are the representations of things in the imagination." These devout souls in the text were chiefly busying their thoughts about God and heaven.
It is the inseparable sign of a godly man, to employ his chief thoughts about God: "The thoughts of the righteous are right" (Proverbs 12:5); that is, they are set upon the right object. It is natural to think.
Thoughts fly out of the mind—as sparks fly out of a furnace. The Hebrew word for a thought signifies the boughs of a tree, because thoughts shoot out from our minds as branches do from a tree. It is, I say, natural to think—but it is not natural to think of God; this is proper to a saint. His thoughts are sublime and seraphic—they fly to heaven.
The mind is a mint-house where thoughts are minted. David minted golden thoughts: "I am still with you" (Psalm 139:18), that is, by divine contemplation. Thoughts are the travelers of the soul. David's thoughts kept on heavens road: "I am continually with you" (Psalm
73:23). As the mariners needle turns to the North Pole, so a saint's thoughts are still pointing towards God.
Question. Why is it, that the saints thoughts mount up to God?
Answer 1. There will be this thinking on God—from those intrinsic perfections which are in him. The loveliness of the object, attracts the thoughts. God is the Supreme good. There is nothing but God, which is really worth thinking upon. "You are my portion, O Lord" (Psalm 119:S7). Will not a man's thoughts run upon his portion? A gracious soul has found pleasure in thinking on God
(Psalm 63:5-6). He has had those transfigurations on the mount, those incomings of the Spirit, those enterings of God's love, those foretastes of glory—so that he cannot keep his thoughts off from God! To hinder him from thinking on God—is to bar him of all his pleasure.
Answer 2. There will be thinking on God—from the powerful operations of the Holy Spirit. We cannot of ourselves think a godly thought (2 Cor. 3:5)—but the Spirit elevates and fixes the heart on God: "The Spirit lifted me up" (Ezek. 3:14). When you see the iron move upward—you know there has been some magnet drawing it. Just so, when the thoughts move upwards towards God, the Spirit has, as a divine magnet, drawn them!
First Use: REPROOF.
Out of the quiver of this text I may draw several arrows of reproof:
1. It reproves those who do not think upon God's name. It is the brand-mark of a reprobate: "God is not in all his thoughts"
(Psalm 10:4). He endeavors to expunge and blot God out of his mind.
Though he draws his breath from God—yet he does not think of him.
His thoughts all shoot into the earth (Phil. 3:19). Had not sinners by their fall lost their head-piece, they would reason thus with themselves: "Certainly God is best worth thinking on. Is there any excellency in the world? Then what excellency there is in God—who has made it! He gives the star its beauty, the flower its fragrance, food its pleasantness! If there is such deliciousness in the creature, what must there be in God! He must needs be better than all. O my soul, shall I admire the drop—and not the ocean? Shall I think of the workmanship, and not of him who made it?"
This forgetfulness of God, is the fruit of original sin—which has warped the soul, and taken it off from the right object.
2. It reproves such as indeed think of God—but who do not have RIGHT thoughts of him. As the Lord said to Eliphaz, "You have not spoken of me what is right" (Job 42:7); so some think of God—but they do not think of him rightly.
1. They have low unworthy thoughts of God. They imagine God to be like themselves (Psalm 50:21). Men think that God is as short-sighted as they, and that he cannot see them through the thick canopy of the clouds. (He who makes a watch knows all the wheels and pins in it, and the spring which causes the motion.) God who is the inspector of the heart (Acts 1:24; 15:8) sees all the intrigues and private plots in the thoughts (Job 42:2; Amos 4:13). God knows the true motion of a false heart! "I know, and am a witness—says the Lord" (Jer. 29:23).
2. Men have injurious thoughts of God.
First, they think that his ways are unjust. "Yet you say—The way of the Lord is not just. Hear, O house of Israel—Is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?" (Ezek. 18:25). Some call God's providence to the bar of reason, and judge his proceedings to be unjust. But God says, "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line" (Isaiah 28:17). His ways are secret— but never unjust. God is most just in his way—when we think he is out of his way.
Secondly, they think that his ways are unprofitable. "You have said —It is useless to serve God. What have we gained by keeping His requirements?" (Mal. 3:14). We cannot show our earnings. These are not right thoughts of God. Men think him to be a hard master; but God will be in no man's debt, he gives double pay: "Neither do you kindle a fire on my altar for nothing" (Mal. 1:10).
3. It reproves such as, instead of thinking on God, have their minds wholly taken up with VAIN thoughts. Vain thoughts are the froth of the brain. "How long shall your vain thoughts lodge within you?" (Jer. 4:14). I do not deny that vain thoughts may sometimes come into the best hearts—but they have a
care to turn them out before night, that they do not lodge there. This denominates a wicked man. His thoughts dwell upon vanity; and well may his thoughts be said to be vain, because they do not turn to any profit! "Vanity, and things wherein there is no profit" (Jer.
16:19). They are vain thoughts, which are about foolish things, and run all into straw. They are vain thoughts which do not better the heart, nor will give one drop of comfort at death, "In that very day his thoughts perish" (Psalm 146:4). Vain thoughts are corrupt; they taint the heart and leave an evil tincture behind.
4. It reproves such as have, not only vain thoughts, but VILE thoughts.
Firstly, proud thoughts: while they view themselves in the mirror of self-love, they begin to take up venerable thoughts of themselves, and so pride fumes up into their head and makes them giddy! (Acts
5:36).
Secondly, impure thoughts. They think how to gratify their lusts— they "make provision," or as the word signifies, become "caterers" for the flesh (Romans 13:14).
Sin begins in the thoughts. First men devise sin—then they act it (Mic. 2:1-2). For instance, if one seeks preferment, he thinks to himself by what ladder he may climb to honor. He will cringe and comply, and lay aside conscience, because he thinks that this is the way to rise. If a man would grow rich, he sets his thoughts to work how to obtain an estate. He will pull down his soul—to build up an estate. Would he wreak his malice on another? He frames a plan in his thoughts to harm him. As Jezebel (that painted harlot) when she would ruin Naboth, presently feigns a sham-plot and subtly thinks of a way how to dispatch him: "She commanded: Call the citizens together for fasting and prayer and give Naboth a place of honor.
Find two scoundrels who will accuse him of cursing God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death!" (1 Kings 21:9-10).
Oh, the mischief of thoughts! A man may deny God in his thoughts:
"The fool has said in his heart—there is no God" (Psalm 14:1). He may commit adultery in his thoughts: "Whoever looks on a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt.
5:28). A man may murder another in his thoughts: "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer" (1 John 3:15 ). O how much contemplative wickedness is in the world! Tremble at sinful thoughts. We startle at gross sin—but we are not troubled so much for sinful thoughts. Know firstly, that sin may be committed in the thoughts, though it never blossoms into outward act: "The thought of foolishness is sin!" (Prov.
24:9). See this illustrated in two things:
Envy—the Jews envied Christ, for the fame of his miracles: "Pilate knew that for envy they had delivered him" (Matt. 27:18). Here was sin committed in the thoughts. The Jews sinned by envying Christ, though they had never crucified him.
Discontentment--"The Lord accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected." (Gen. 4:4-5). He maligned his brother, and his thoughts boiled up to discontentment. Here was sin committed in the thoughts. Cain sinned in being discontented, even if he had never murdered his brother.
Know that God will punish sinful thoughts. We say thoughts are free—and so they are in man's court; but God will punish for thoughts! It was set upon Herod's score, that he thought to destroy
Christ under a pretense of worshiping him (Matt. 2:8).
Let us be humbled for the sins of our thoughts."If you have thought evil, lay your hand upon your mouth" (Proverbs 30:32); that is, humble and abase yourself before the Lord. The holiest people alive, need to be humbled for their thoughts:
First, for the instability of their thoughts. How do your thoughts dance up and down in prayer. It is hard to tie two godly thoughts together.
Secondly, for the impiety of their thoughts. In the fairest fruit, may be a worm—and in the best heart, evil thoughts may arise. Did men's hearts stand where their faces do, they would blush to look one upon another! Let us be deeply humbled for our thoughts. Let us look up to Christ, that he would stand between us and God justice, and that he would intercede for us, that the thoughts of our hearts may be forgiven.
Second use: EXHORTATION.
Let us think on God's Name; let us lock up ourselves with God every day; let our thoughts get wings and, with the birds of paradise, fly up towards heaven. Christians, look upon that day to be lost, in which you have not conversed with God in your thoughts; think of God in your closet, in your shop; trade above the moon. "Isaac went out to meditate in the field" (Gen. 24:63). He walked in heaven by holy utterances. Our minds should be steeped in holy thoughts.
It is not enough to have a few transient thoughts of God—but there must be a fixing of our minds on God, until our hearts are warmed in love to him, and we can say, like those in Luke 24:32, "Did not our heart burn within us!"
But what should the matter of our holy meditations be?
1. Think of God's immense being.
Adore his illustrious ATTRIBUTES, which are the beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Think of God's omniscience. He particularly and critically assesses all our actions, and notes them down in his book. Think of God's holiness, which is the most sparkling jewel of his crown (Exod. 15:11). Think of God's mercy: this makes all his other attributes sweet. Holiness without mercy, and justice without mercy, would be dreadful. Think of God's veracity: "Abundant in truth" (Exod. 34:6); that is, God will be so far from coming short of his word, that he does more than he has said. He shoots beyond the promise, never short of it.
Think of the WORKS of God: "I will meditate also on all your works"
(Psalm 77:12). God's works are bound up in three great volumes:
Creation, Providence, Redemption. Here is sweet matter for our thoughts to expatiate upon.
To enforce the exhortation, let me propose some arguments and inducements to be frequent in the thoughts of God.
1. The reason why God has given us a thinking faculty, is that we may think on his Name. When our thoughts run out in vain things, we should think with ourselves thus: Did God give us this talent to misemploy? Did he give us thoughts that we should think of everything but him?
2. It we do not accustom ourselves to godly thoughts, we cannot be godly Christians. Thinking seriously on heavenly things—makes them stick in our minds, causes delight in them, and makes them nourish us. Musing on holy objects, is like digesting food, which turns it into nourishment. Without holy thoughts, there is no true religion. Can a man be pious and scarcely ever think of it?
3. We are deeply obliged to think on God. For, First, God is our Maker. "It is he who has made us, and not we ourselves"
(Psalm 100:3). Our bodies are God's fine needlework (Psalm 139:15).
And as God has wrought the cabinet, so he has put a jewel in it—the precious soul. Has God made us—and shall not we think of him?
Secondly, God has sweetened our lives with various mercies.
A city in Sicily is so finely situated, that the sun was never out of sight. Just so, God has so placed us by his providence, that the sunshine of his mercy is never out of sight. We are miraculously attended with his mercy! His mercy feeds us with the finest of the wheat—the bread of life; mercy guards us with a guard of angels; it makes the rock pour forth rivers of oil. Shall not the stream lead us to the fountain? Shall not we think of the God of our mercies? This is high ingratitude.
4. To have frequent and devout thoughts of God—evidences SINCERITY. No truer touchstone of sanctity exists, than the spirituality of the thoughts. What a man's thoughts are—that is the man! "For as he thinks in his heart—so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).
Thoughts are freer from hypocrisy, than words. One may speak well for applause, or to stand right in the opinion of others; but when we are alone and think of God's Name, and admire his excellencies, this shows the heart to be right. Thoughts are freer from hypocrisy, than a man's external behavior. A man may be lovely in his outward behavior—yet have a covetous, revengeful mind! The acts of sin may be concealed, when the heart sits brooding upon sin. But to have the thoughts spiritualized and set upon God is a truer sign of sincerity— than a life free from vice.
What do your thoughts run upon? Where do they make their most frequent visits? Can you say, "Lord, our hearts are still mounting up
to heaven, our thoughts are lodged in paradise; though we do not see your face—yet we think on your Name!" This is a good evidence of sincerity. We judge men by their actions; God judges them by their thoughts!
5. Thinking much on God—would cure the love of the WORLD. Great things seem little—to him who stands high. To such as stand upon the top of the Alps, the great cities of Italy seem like little villages. For those who are mounted high in the contemplation of Christ and glory—how do the things of the world disappear, and even shrink into nothing! A soul elevated by faith above the visible planets, has the earth under his feet. A true saint intermeddles with secular affairs, more out of necessity than choice. Paul's thoughts are heavenly and sublime—he lived in the altitudes—and how he scorned the world! "The world is crucified unto me!" (Gal. 6:14).
6. Thinking on God—would be expulsive of SIN. From whence is impiety—but from thoughtlessness? If only men carefully considered God's holiness and justice—would they dare sin at the rate they do! That which kept Joseph in check, was the thought of a sin-revenging God. When the delights of sin tickle us—let the thoughts of God come into men's minds, that he is both Spectator and Judge—and that after the golden crowns and women's hair— comes the lions teeth! (Rev. 9:8). This would put them into a cold sweat—and be as the angel's drawn sword! (Num. 22:31). It would scare them from sin!
7. Thinking on God, is an admirable means to increase our LOVE to God. As it was with David's meditations, "As I was musing the fire burned" (Psalm 39:3); so it is with our musing on the Deity.
While we are thinking on God—our hearts will kindle in love to him.
The reason our affections are so chilled and cold in religion—is that we do not warm them with thoughts of God. Hold a magnifying glass to the sun, and the glass burns that which is near to it. So when our thoughts are lifted up to Christ, the Sun of righteousness, our affections are set on fire. No sooner had the spouse been thinking upon her Savior's beauty—but she fell into love-sickness. (Song of Sol. 5:8). O saints, do but let your thoughts dwell upon the love of Christ, who passed by angels and thought of you; who was wounded that, out of his wounds, the balm of Gilead might come to heal you; who leaped into the sea of his Father's wrath, to save you from drowning in the lake of fire! Think of this unparalleled love, which sets the angels wondering—and see if it will not affect your hearts and cause tears to flow forth!
8. Thinking on God, will by degrees transform us into his image. As Jacob's flock looking on the rods which had white streaks conceived and brought forth like them (Gen. 30:39), so by contemplating God's holiness, we are in some measure changed into his likeness! "Beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord—we are changed into the same image" (2 Cor. 3:18). The contemplative sight of God was transforming; they had some print of God's holiness upon them; as Moses when he had been on the mount with God, his face shone! (Exod. 34:35). What is godliness, but God-likeness? And who are so like him—as those that think on his name?
9. Thinking on God is sweet. It ushers in a secret delight to the soul! "My meditation of him shall be sweet" (Psalm 104:34). He whose head gets above the clouds—has his thoughts lifted high, has
God in his eye, is full of divine raptures, and cries out as Peter in the transfiguration, "Lord, it is good for us to be here!" Holy thoughts are the dove we send out of the ark of our souls—and they return with an olive branch of peace. Some complain that they have no joy in their
lives. It is no wonder, when they are such strangers to heavenly contemplation! Would you have God give you joy and comfort—and never think of him? Indeed Israel had manna dropped into their tents, and they never thought of it; but God will not drop down this manna of heavenly joy on that soul which seldom or never thinks of him.
Would you have your spirits cheerful? Let your thoughts be heavenly! The higher the lark flies—the sweeter it sings. Just so, the higher a soul ascends in the thoughts of God—the sweeter joy it has!
10. Thoughts of God will turn to the best account. Thoughts spent on the world are often in vain. Some spend thoughts about laying up a portion for a child; and perhaps either it dies, or lives to be a severe trial to them. Others beat their brains how to rise in politics—when royal favor has shone upon them, all of a sudden an eclipse comes about, the king's smile is turned into a frown, and then their thoughts are frustrated!
How oft do men build castles in the air! But the thoughts of God will turn to a good account, they augment sanctification, and bring satisfaction: "You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. I will praise you with songs of joy. I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night" (Psalm 63:5-6). The thoughts we have of God in the time of health, will be a comfort to us in the time of sickness.
11. God thinks of us—and shall not we think of him? "The Lord thinks upon me!" (Psalm 40:17). God thinks on us every morning; his mercies are "new every morning" (Lam. 3:23). He gives us night-mercies, he rocks us asleep every night: "So he gives his beloved sleep" (Psalm 127:2). And if we awaken, he gives "songs in the night" (Job 35:10). If God is thinking of us day and night, shall
not we think of his Name? How can we forget a friend—who is ever mindful of us? "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, with the Lord are thoughts of peace" (Jer 29:11). Though God is out of our sight—we are not out of his thoughts!
12. God will one day reckon with us, for our thoughts. He will say, "I gave you a mental faculty. What have you done with it?" If God asks a covetous man, "What have your thoughts been? Which way have your thoughts run?" He will answer, "To heap up riches!" If God asks princes and emperors, "How have you employed your thoughts?" They will say, "By our scepter—to beat down the power of godliness." What a dreadful account will these people have to give at last! Not only men's actions—but their thoughts will accuse them!
"Their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them!" (Romans 2:15).
13. Our thoughts of God shall not be lost. God accepts the thought—for the deed. David had a good thought come into his mind to build God a house, and God took it as kindly as if he had done it!
"Forasmuch as it was in your heart to build an house for my name, you did well in that it was in your heart" (2 Chron. 6:8). When
Christians have thoughts of promoting God's glory—that they would do such good acts if it were in their power—the Lord looks upon it as if they had done it. So that our thoughts of God are not lost.
Let us think of God in a right MANNER. A good medicine may be spoiled in the making. So may a good duty be spoiled in the doing. Thoughts may be good for the matter of them—yet may be faulty in the manner. I shall show you, first, how thoughts of God may fail in their manner. There is a right manner of thinking upon God.
1. How thoughts of God may fail in their manner.
First, a man may think good thoughts of God—yet not intend his glory. Jehu had good thoughts come into his mind, to destroy the Baal worshipers—but his intent was to advance himself unto the throne! Bad aims spoil good actions!
Secondly, a man may have good thoughts of God—but they are forced. When one bleeds under God's afflicting hand, he may think of God—yet have no love to him. "When he slew them—then they remembered that God was their rock, and the most high God their Redeemer: nevertheless they only flattered him with their mouth" (Psalm 78:34-36). These were good thoughts—but it was to pay God a compliment in order to get rid of the affliction.
Thirdly, a man may have thoughts of God—out of a design to stop the mouth of conscience. Conscience lashes the profane sinner: "What! Are you so wicked as never to think of God, who indulges you with so many favors!" Hereupon, he may have a few good thoughts; but they are irksome to him—this is not from a principle of conscience—but to quiet conscience.
Fourthly, a man may think of God with horror! He thinks of God's sovereignty, and dreads the thoughts of God. You see—one may think of God, yet the thoughts may become sinful.
2. The right manner of thinking on God.
First, our thoughts of God must be serious. Feathers float on the surface—but gold sinks into the water. Feathery spirits have some floating thoughts; but godly hearts sink deep in the thoughts of God!
Secondly, our thoughts of God must he spiritual. Take heed of framing any gross conceits of God in your minds, representing him by the likeness of the creature: "You saw no form of any kind the day
the Lord spoke to you at Horeb out of the fire" (Deut. 4:15). Conceive of God in Christ. We cannot see him any other way, as we cannot see the sun in the circle—but in the beams. The Godhead dwells in Christ's human nature (Col. 2:9). Think of God as a Spirit full of immense glory, propitious to us through a Mediator.
Thirdly, our thoughts of God must be delightful. With what delight does a child think of his father! A gracious soul counts them the sweetest hours, which are spent with God.
Fourthly, our thoughts of God must be operative and efficacious, leaving our hearts in a better tune. The thoughts of God's faithfulness must make us confide in him. The thoughts of God's holiness must make us conform to him. This is the right thinking on God—when it is influential, leaving us in a more heavenly frame.
Third use: DIRECTION.
The text shows us how to have our thoughts frequently fixed upon God.
1. Begin the day with holy thoughts. "When I awake, I am still with you" (Psalm 139:18). God should have the first buddings of our thoughts. In the law, the Lord would have the first fruits offered him.
Give God your virgin thoughts in the morning. What the vessel is first seasoned with, it keeps the relish of, a long time after. The mind seasoned with godly thoughts in the morning, will keep the heart in a better state all the day long.
2. If you would think of God—take heed of hindrances.
1. Turn away your eyes from beholding vanity (Psalm 119:37).
Vain objects poison the imagination; lascivious pictures and wanton