Proverbs 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.

      Lately, some people I know in the workplace have been encouraging me to meditate. I need to empty my mind and just not think about anything others say. This will do me some real good. I explained to them that I do meditate on the word of God. They say, “That is not clearing your mind and I need to be more open-minded and venture out from the word of God only.” 
      They say “I need to allow other influences into my spirit so that I can be elevated to a new reality. Test the other things, other than my narrow ideas of God.” No, I don’t think so. I like my relationship with my God and Saviour. God’s thoughts toward me are to do me good.
      I don’t think that is what God meant when He asks us to meditate on Him and His word. God seems very clear that we are to meditate on Him and his word regularly. The word of God encourages us to meditate in the word of God and on the works of His hands. Psalm 119:148 Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Psalm 77:12 I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. 
      As a matter of fact, God told Joshua the answer to his success was that he should meditate on the law of God day and night. Josh. 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 
      Paul admonished Timothy to meditate on the things that had been prophesied over him by the word of God. 1 Tim. 4:15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
      We read in the book of Judges the problem with mixing in the smorgasbord of other beliefs with the foundational truth of God being the only God. After the death of Joshua and the elders who had seen the miracles of God’s deliverance of Israel into the promised land. There started to be a problem with the next generation. Judg. 2:10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which He had done for Israel.11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim: 12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
      The next generation had not learned how to meditate on the law of God for success because they were living the dream per-se. They had become comfortable with their surroundings and social standing that expressed, “Live and let live.” So what if there were still Canaanites, Jebusites, Asherites, Amorites, and the Philistines influencing how Israel should worship. After it is all said and done, all roads lead to the same god. 
      Well, God did not think this to be true. Ex. 20:2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. The problem Israel had with falling for other gods is that they ended up eating the fruit of the other gods. Judg. 2:19b They ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way. 20a And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel. 21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died. They could have had a great relationship with the All Mighty God but they ended up with the common everyday detritus of a dime a dozen gods.