“When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that’s called worry. When you think about God’s Word over and over in your mind, that’s meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!” Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
That is a great quote from a great book.
From a Christian point of view, the word “meditate” means something different than what most people probably think when they hear that word. In simple terms, when you meditate on the word of God, you dwell on it. You’re reading scripture and then thinking deeply about it, contemplating it, pondering it, memorizing it, and stamping it on your heart. You are encountering God through scripture. And the more you meditate on His word, the more you will feel His presence and the closer you will get to Him.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18
Philippians 4:8 says: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
And 2 Timothy 4:14 says: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”
In Joshua 1:8 we are told: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
When we obey and meditate on the things written in the Bible, we will be prosperous and successful. We must always keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says it best: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
I can remember picking up my Bible many years ago and deciding that I was going to read it. And I didn’t get very far because it just didn’t seem to make very much sense to me. My relationship with God was still in the very early stages of blossoming. Praying and reading scripture go hand in hand. The more you talk to God, the more the pages of your Bible start to come alive. And the more you will understand what He is saying.
2 Timothy 2:7 says: “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.”
And Hebrews 4:12 says: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Nobody is impervious to God’s word. It is living and so powerful.
Colossians 3:16 tells us to: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
And Matthew 4:4 tells us that we cannot live on bread alone. We need God. We need His word. “But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
God will give perfect peace to those who keep His word on their minds: “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
I have read through all 150 Psalms several times, and so many of them talk about meditating on God and His word. Even the very first verse in the very first Psalm that was written talks about meditating on the word of God: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalms 1:1-2
We are so blessed by God’s word. We should be finding our joy in the law of the Lord and meditating on it as much as possible.
Psalm 119 is a great one to read regarding meditation. I’m going to highlight some verses from there:
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalms 119:11
“I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.” Psalms 119:15-16
“My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.” Psalms 119:48
“Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalms 119:97
This one is a favorite of mine: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalms 119:105
And allow me to list eight more random Psalms on meditation:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalms 19:14
“The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.” Psalms 37:31
“My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding.” Psalms 49:3
“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.” Psalms 63:6
“I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds.” Psalms 77:12
“May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord.” Psalms 104:34
“The works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them.” Psalms 111:2
“I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and on Your wondrous works.” Psalms 145:5
Proverbs 4:20-22 gives me goosebumps just reading it. God’s word is life and health: “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.” Wow.
I’m going to leave you with this final verse:
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Isaiah 40:8
God bless you all.
My Light for My Lord 