Unlike many of today’s so called popular meditation methods, meditating on Holy Scripture does not involve attempting to empty one’s own mind while mindlessly making monosyllabic sounds and sitting uncomfortably on floor mats.
Biblical meditation includes taking time to regularly fill our minds
with good things from Scripture while reading the Bible and thinking about what
is being read. This can be accompanied by
praying often with a mindset of humility and a willingness to repent; while..
not
being distracted by physical discomfort or anything else, like phone calls,
social media or multi-tasking, etcetera.
In
the Old Testament – under the Old Covenant – it is recorded that the Lord
promised Joshua (Joshua 1:6-8) desirable blessings that related to his
obedience and daily meditation upon the Law given through Moses.
In
the Book of Psalms, meditating on the word and/or works of God is mentioned a
dozen times.
4:4
….. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be
still.
63:6 …., I meditate on You in
the night watches.
77:6 ….; I meditate within my
heart, and my spirit makes diligent search.
77:12 I will also meditate on all
Your work, and talk of Your deeds.
119:15 I will meditate on Your precepts, and
contemplate Your ways.
119:23 …..Your servant meditates on Your
statutes.
119:27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts; so
shall I meditate….
119:48 …..I will meditate on Your
statutes.
119:78 ….. I
will meditate on Your precepts.
119:148 ….that I may meditate on
Your word.
143:5 …..; I meditate on all Your
works; I muse on the work of Your hands.
145:5 I will meditate on the
glorious splendor of Your majesty,….
In the New Testament - under the New
Covenant established on better promises - this practice of Biblical meditation still
has value for all.
Philippians 4 says: 6 Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus.
8 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. 9 The things which you
learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of
peace will be with you.
1 Timothy
4:13-15, tells a leader to “…. give
attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not
neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with
the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them,
that your progress may be evident to all.
In
conclusion, be encouraged to not neglect prayer and the Scriptures. More than relieving our stress, they will bless
our lives.
