Christian meditation largely involves filling the mind with God’s Word, thinking of the joy of God’s favor toward us in Christ, and the corresponding sense of wonder at God’s presence through the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Bible records that Isaac was found meditating in the field when his wife Rebekah was brought to him (Genesis 24:63). Besides prayer, meditation is one discipline that can only be done during private worship. The word “meditate” appears twenty-three times in the Bible, nineteen of which are in the Psalms. In the very first Psalm, the blessed man is identified as the one who meditates on the law of the Lord day and night.
When you meditate, you are essentially thinking of God’s Word and relating it to your life. This differs from the world’s way of meditating, where people primarily focus their minds on literally nothing. The belief is that by emptying the mind and looking deep within, one eventually finds their true, authentic self.
Scripture sharply differs, teaching that every intention of man’s heart is continually evil (Genesis 6:5). If God, who searches every thought (Jeremiah 17:10) of man and knows us better than we know ourselves, testifies that every intention of man’s heart is evil continually, how then can I trust my thoughts? Scripture warns against following our hearts, describing the heart as desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9). To get better in our walk and to grow in faith, we are, therefore, supposed to look out from ourselves and only towards God.
How to do Biblical Meditation
Christians meditate by reciting Scripture, confessing sin, and reflecting on the promise of forgiveness won through the merits of Jesus Christ. When we spend time reading the Word of God, it points out our sins and reminds us of the forgiveness we obtain in Christ by grace.
In meditating, we also reflect on the deep truths of the Christian faith, such as the Holy Trinity, or on the various attributes of God revealed in his Word. The Word of God teaches us about God, of course, revealing to us his divine nature. Without God revealing himself to us in such a manner, we would have never known him. God is the epitome of beauty; he is a wonder to set our sights on for our enjoyment and transformation. Indeed, by knowing God, we get to be transformed from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).
We must endeavor, therefore, to consistently fill our minds with the Word of God. That means we ought to be disciplined in reading, studying, and memorizing Scripture. God is not found by looking within ourselves but by searching his Word. He reveals himself in the things he has made and in what he has said and done for us in Jesus Christ.
Where to Start
Meditation starts by listening, reading, or studying the Word of God. The Navigators ministry developed an excellent tool called the Hand Illustration, which shows the different aspects of interacting with the Word of God. First, one listens to the Word of God through, say, a sermon, then they read the Word personally, and then they study the text (through which the Lord reveals a truth about himself), and finally, they memorize the text, which now they can meditate upon.
Linger On
To meditate is to ponder on God’s Word. Pondering means “to weigh in the mind” or reflect upon something. It is a careful consideration and focused attention upon something. Christian meditation focuses the mind on the meanings of biblical words and phrases and relates them to practical life. It is not a quick perusal of God’s Word. For example, if one pondered on Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please God,” they would ultimately ask themselves if they are leading a life that is pleasing to God. They might even find themselves muttering those very words of the verse, not aimlessly, of course.
Lean on the Helper
God’s Word is spirit and life (John 6:63). It is living and active, sharper than a double-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Christian meditation seeks the transformation of the heart, which is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). That makes it a Spirit-enabled exercise, unlike the world’s way of meditating which leans on the self to achieve transformation.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). God kept his promise, and now we who have the Spirit can be certain that we belong to God and are coheirs with Christ (Ephesians 1:11-14).
Benefits of Meditating
The blessed man, says the Psalmist, meditates on the law of the Lord day and night (Psalm 1:2). By meditating, we find prosperity and success in all that we do in Christ (Joshua 1:8). The saint who spends time in meditation will undoubtedly do the will of his Father in heaven (Psalms 29:14), searching his heart in silence in light of God’s Word and trembling over sin (Psalm 4:4). He will always speak words of wisdom, and the meditations of his heart bring him understanding (Psalm 49:3). Such is a successful man, even if he didn’t possess all the wealth in the world.
Finally, meditation helps Christians grow in prayer. It is, in fact, the bridge between Scripture and prayer. Once one has searched the scriptures through hearing, reading, studying, and memorizing, they meditate on that which God has revealed about himself; they ponder on his deeds and meditate on his works (Psalm 77:12). And having done so, they end up in worship and praise through prayer. Meditating on God’s promises (Psalm 119:148) leads to praying God’s promises. What a light in the dark and salt to the world Christians who meditated on God’s Word would be. Dear saints, may we all strive to be found among such.
