Meditate
People talk about meditation these days. By definition, it’s usually a mental exercise for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. It has connections to Eastern religions here. You’ll often see rocks stacked along hiking trails and in or near streams. You’ll also see the cross-legged pose with the finger and thumb touching.
The Bible mentions meditating in a different context. Meditate for us is to focus ones thoughts on: to reflect on or ponder over. And this kind of meditation is right for you and me.
Get somewhere that you can be alone with God like Isaac did in Gen 24:63. Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide.
We are to Meditate:
On God – Ps 63:6. “When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches”.
People worry in bed. They think about regrets, things they would have done differently. Some get down on themselves. Some try to plan or sort out things. Some get anxious about tomorrow.
We should meditate on God, instead. Meditate on who he is. His majesty, wonder, love, salvation, goodness, mercy, grace, kindness, forgiveness, joy, peace, strength, glory, promises, etc.
On God’s words – Jos 1:8. Ps 119:148. 1 Tim 4:15. We are to not only read the words of God, we are to meditate on them. We are to give ourselves wholly to them. Often our daily reading takes us to a passage that we need that day. And by meditating on it, we understand what God is showing us, spiritually. Ruminate on the words you read each day.
Also, when we meditate on a passage that is not readily apparent we often discover it’s true meaning and doctrinal application. Sometimes, it doesn’t ‘jump off the page’; it comes to us later, while we’re meditating on it. We can see it manifested in cross references and applied in the other things going on around us.
On God’s works – Ps 77:12. Ps 143:5. These are two-fold. Meditate on God’s works that have been recorded in the Bible. And also on the things God has done in your life. There are times when you will be discouraged, distressed, or even depressed. Thinking about all the things God has already done in your life and in the life of others will help pull you out of your funk.
Plus, meditating on these things fits Phil 4:8. When you meditate on these things and in this manner, the meditation of your heart will be acceptable in God’s sight, Ps 19:14.