Topical Bible: The Evening: A Season For: Meditation

◄ The Evening: A Season For: Meditation ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The evening, as a time of transition from the busyness of the day to the stillness of night, holds a special place in the rhythm of biblical life and spiritual practice. It is a period that invites reflection, prayer, and meditation, offering a unique opportunity to draw closer to God and contemplate His Word.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently highlights the evening as a time for spiritual activities, including meditation. In Genesis 24:63 , we find Isaac going out to the field in the evening to meditate: "And Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening. And when he lifted up his eyes and saw the camels approaching." This passage illustrates the practice of setting aside time in the evening for quiet reflection and communion with God.

The Psalms, a rich source of devotional material, often speak of evening meditation. Psalm 63:6 states, "When I remember You on my bed, I think of You through the watches of the night." This verse suggests that the evening and night hours are fitting times for pondering God's presence and faithfulness.

Spiritual Significance

Evening meditation allows believers to review the day, offering thanks for blessings received and seeking forgiveness for shortcomings. It is a time to cast cares upon the Lord, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:7 : "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." The quiet of the evening provides a conducive environment for such introspection and prayer.

The evening also serves as a metaphor for the end of life's day, prompting believers to consider their spiritual state and readiness to meet the Lord. This reflection aligns with the exhortation in Ephesians 5:15-16 : "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil."

Practical Application

Incorporating evening meditation into daily life can be a transformative practice. Believers are encouraged to set aside time after the day's activities to read Scripture, pray, and meditate on God's Word. This practice can be enhanced by creating a peaceful environment, free from distractions, to focus the heart and mind on spiritual matters.

The evening is also an ideal time for family devotions, where members can gather to read the Bible, share insights, and pray together. This communal aspect of evening meditation strengthens family bonds and fosters a shared spiritual journey.

Conclusion

The evening, with its natural quiet and reflective atmosphere, is a divinely appointed time for meditation. By dedicating this time to spiritual reflection, believers can deepen their relationship with God, gain wisdom, and find peace in His presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 24:63
And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Letter ix. Meditation.
... out into the field to meditate in the stillness and solemnity of the evening. ... one
or two heads may perhaps be found sufficient for one season of meditation. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

Paul's Last Journey to Jerusalem
... Upon the last evening of his stay the brethren "came together to break bread." The
fact that their ... This gave him a short season for meditation and prayer. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 37 pauls last journey.htm

The Nature of Heavenly Contemplation; with the Time, Place, and ...
... and the view of heaven is the life of meditation. ... Servants and laborers must take
that season which their ... the fittest time for myself is the evening, from sun ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xiii the nature of.htm

The Last Season
... The last season. ... you would seriously demand of your own heart at least every evening,
'O my ... You might then say with David, "My meditation of Him shall be sweet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/xii the last season.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree
... detained Him, all night long, in prayer and meditation out of ... is true that figs would
not be in season for two ... Not in the dusk of that evening as they returned ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 11 12-14 20-25 the barren.htm

Washed to Greater Foulness
... have been busy with domestic employments, distracted by no acute anxiety, but cheered
by much quiet meditation. ... "Come, evening, once again, season of peace ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm

How the Abbot Ceolfrid Sent Master-Builders to the King of the ...
... northern parts of Britain, taught by frequent meditation on the ... true, when we said
that the Paschal season is to ... week, because it begins on the evening of the ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxi how the abbot.htm

Preparing to Depart
... you, no dust nor whirl of care to vex you, but the evening seemed a ... one might choose,
one would like to have just such a season as that ... "Wrapt in meditation high ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/preparing to depart.htm

Walking with God
... he was frequently employed in meditation, even in the night season. We read also
of Isaac's going out into the fields to meditate in the evening; or, as it is ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

Letter v. Prayer and Fasting.
... at the close of our morning and evening prayers ... himself set the example, by a long
season of fasting ... should be spent in self-examination, meditation, reading the ...
/.../letter v prayer and fasting.htm