Dear Christian, Meditation is for You!

Meditation in many ways has become quite popular and is openly promoted. However, most of what is being promoted as meditation is not biblical meditation. What I mean is that although other belief systems embrace meditation they are not participating in meditation the way we should as believers.

The bible has more than 20 scriptures referring to meditation but this is not something being spoken about a lot in churches. In fact, many believers shun meditation because they immediately equate it to forms of mysticism and other new age practices and teachings. This is why we need to know the Word and what God says in His word about meditation.

Meditation is not simply sitting around emptying our minds and letting any random thing fill it instead it is in the intentional practice of filling our minds with the word of God.

I. So what is meditation?

Here are 2 Hebrew words and 1 Greek word for meditation

hâgâh (H1897) haw-gaw'

1. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance – Definition: To murmur (in pleasure or anger); to ponder, imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, speak, study, talk, utter

śı̂ychâh (H7881) see-khaw'

1. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance – Definition: Reflection, devotion, meditation, prayer

This is a Greek word - meletaō (G3191) mel-et-ah'-o

1. Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance – Definition: To take care of, revolve in the mind, imagine

When we meditate we are rehearsing in our minds and even pondering on God's Word, His goodness, and righteous things. Meditation is not passive emptying over our mind and chanting but it is an intentional focus on God and His Word. We can meditate on His goodness and righteous things because the bible tells us to think on these things, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8)

**Below are a few tips to help you attempt to meditate and also I have shared several scriptures so you can see what God's Word says about meditation.

II. Tips to Meditation

1. Find scriptures to rehearse and ponder

2. Find scriptures to memorize

3. Find scripture to pray back to the Lord

4. Think of His Goodness, His Greatness, His presence, etc

5. Be intentional in focusing your mind on God, His Word, etc

6. Don't give up when you lose focus just refocus your mind again

7. Grab and journal and pen to write after you have spent time meditating

8. Don't rush!! Meditation is not something you rush to do in 30 seconds take your time.

III. Here some scriptures on meditation

Joshua 1:8 - This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.

Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 1:2 - But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 119: 15 - I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

Psalm 104:34 - May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.

Psalm 119:97 - Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Psalm 49:3 - My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.

Psalm 63:6 - When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

Psalm 143:5 - I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.

Psalm 119:148 - My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.

Psalm 77:12 - I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.

Psalm 119:99 - I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.

Psalm 119:78 - Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood; as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

Psalm 119:48 - I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 119:23 - Even though princes sit plotting against me, your servant will meditate on your statutes.

Psalm 145:5 - On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

Psalm 119:15-16 - I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.