The idea of meditation has become quite popular over recent years. I found two definitions: 1) The act of remaining in a silent and calm state, as part of a religious training, or so that you are more able to deal with the problems of everyday life; 2) The act of thinking about something very carefully and deeply for a long time.
[perfectpullquote align=”right” size=”17″]We tend to think a lot about the things we enjoy. The challenge is this: do I love God and his Word enough to think about it every day?[/perfectpullquote]The first type of meditation is a practice of emptying our mind to consider ourselves without being influenced by our emotions and has its roots in ancient India and China. But God in his Word does not tell us to have empty minds nor to find anything of value within ourselves. It is good to think about what we read in the Bible, but it is difficult for people with busy lives full of activities. God tells us that we need to think deeply about what he is saying to us – it is this definition that Christians are using when they talk about meditating.
Psalm 119 is all about God’s Word, his commands and instructions, and yet we find eight times someone enjoying thinking deeply about God’s teachings! We tend to think a lot about the things we enjoy. The challenge is this: do I love God and his Word enough to think about it every day? Do I often think about what God has done? Do we find delight in thinking about God’s instructions to us? Psalm 77:11-12 sets an example for us:
I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.
Psalm 77:11-12
There are other things we can think about too. Philippians 4:8 says:
Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Phil. 4:8
So as you read the Bible, read the passage a couple of times. What is it saying about God? Does it say anything about me? Is it telling me to do something or to avoid doing something? Look at the context (every passage of Scripture has its context!) – what was going on at the time? How does it fit in with my life in 2021? And, as you meditate, enjoy having God speak to you!
Dave Webster, The Church of God in Liverpool
