Meditating on God’s Word

“Blessed is the man

who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the company of mockers.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on His law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season

and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.”

Psalm 1:1-3 NIV

Meditation is a word that is not often used in contemporary Christianity. The art or act of meditation is not too frequently spoken about among believers in Christ Jesus. In fact, many people sort of view meditation in a negative way possibly because the term is now more associated with “mystical religions”, Buddhism, Hinduism, yoga, ESP, astral travel, Christian Science and the likes.

The fact that so many other religious groups use the term and practice the act in some way does not mean that we should completely abandon it. There is a biblically prescribed act of meditation and as Psalm 1 points to us, meditating on the word of God is vital to our fruitfulness.

While Eastern forms of meditation teach people to empty their minds, stressing the need for detachment from the world, meditation as taught in the Holy Scriptures is an act of focusing the mind on one subject. Biblical meditation does not mean we are to sit and think infinity, rather it is object oriented-reflective thinking on a particular subject.

“When I remember Thee upon my bed and meditate on Thee in the night watches…”

Psalm 63:6 KJV

“I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.”

Psalm 77:12 KJV

Particularly, the Scriptures teach us to meditate on the word of God. This refers to times when we think deeply, dwell on, ponder over, and thoroughly masticate on the word of God to properly digest the truth. Rather than a casual cursory glance at His word, it is an act in which we give careful attention to internalize and personalize God’s word. It is in the place of meditating on the word of God that realities of His truth dawn upon our hearts. Convictions are changed and firm decisions in obedience to the truth are made.

Not only is meditation vital for our fruitfulness as believers, it is also a very important part of our transformation. Romans 12: 1 & 2 speak of how we are transformed by the renewal of our minds and renewal of our minds only occurs when we focus our minds on the proper things.

Dr Merril Unger wrote in his book “Pathway to Power” in the early 1950s:

“Meditation upon God’s Word is fast becoming a lost art among many Christian people. This holy exercise of pondering over the Word, chewing it as an animal chews its cud to get its sweetness and nutritive virtue into the heart and life, takes time, which ill fits into the speed of our modern age…”

If this was true then, it is so much truer now almost 70 years after. We are a generation of hustle and bustle. Some people are so busy they don’t even have time to go for medical check-ups! Rest, relaxation and sleep are almost a luxury for some people. Deep reflection is now a thing of the past.

However, we must follow the example of people of God who walked with Him and made a practice of meditation:

“I will meditate in Thy precepts, and have respect unto Thy ways.”

“Princes also did sit and speak against me: but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes”

“My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes.”

“Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in Thy word.”

Psalm 119:15, 23, 48, 148 KJV

Someone once said about the devil and his activities, “our adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry, and crowds.” All three are present in our world in alarming ubiquity. We need quietness, stillness and solitude to meditate on God’s word. This week, as we muse on this Psalm, may God’s Spirit awaken in us the right desire that will be matched by the required diligence to create the time and find the appropriate places to meditate on the word of God.

My song for the week is “Breathe” by Jonny Diaz.