Today I want to touch on meditation. When you hear the word “meditation,” you automatically think of an eastern culture, where orange robed monks sit with folded legs and hands in a praying position.

In Christianity to meditate means to focus on the Word of God, thinking it, muttering it and even praying or saying it out load, until you grasp the full meaning of it. “Change your mind”, is the central theme of Jesus’ first sermon in Matthew 4:17: “Repent (change your mind) for the kingdom of heaven has come near.”

In the Bible meditation goes back as far as the time of Joshua, when he took over from Moses as the leader of the Israelites. 

In Joshua 1:8 the Message translation says, “Don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of your mind. Ponder and meditate upon it day and night, making sure that you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.” 

Psalm 1:2 in the Message puts it very clearly, “… you chew on Scripture day and night.” The AMPC puts it this way, “But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on these instructions, teachings or precepts of God, he habitually meditates by day and by night.”  

In the New Testament we find quite a few Scriptures on meditation:  Colossians 3:2 reads, “Set your minds and keep them set on what is above, not on the things that are on the earth.”

Here is an example on how to meditate:  Psalm 23:1, “The Lord is my Shepherd…” 

Place emphasis on, “The Lord…” Say it a few times and let the meaning of who the Lord is sink into your heart. “The Lord,” who is He? The creator of heaven and earth. He is my Lord. 

Emphasise “is.” Not maybe or sometimes, no, He IS without a doubt. “My,” not someone else’s, but mine.  “Shepherd,” what does a shepherd do? He feeds His flock and makes sure that they have enough water to drink. He leads them along the best paths and protects them against anything that can harm them.

By meditating on this phrase, you become more acquainted with God’s character and His love for you. You will begin to trust Him more and more as your relationship with Him grows.

Isaiah 26:3 reads, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”

 In good and in bad times, find a Scripture to meditate on. Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. In this way you build your faith and speak words filled with God’s power. God created the whole universe by speaking it into existence! He says that His Word in our mouths is just as effective as if He is saying it. 

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is alive, operative, energising and effective; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the soul and the spirit, exposing and sifting and analysing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” 

Use this Scripture for meditation today:  

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.” 

When your mind starts to wander, re-focus on the Word and mutter it under your breath, until it comes alive in your spirit. 

Prayer:

Dear Lord Jesus, help me to focus on You and Your Word, to keep me in perfect peace. Amen.