How to Meditate on the Bible
How to Meditate on the Bible
In Philippians 4:7-8 we read how we can have peace. Paul says to “think” or meditate on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and excellent. As a child I remember memorizing this list (and the one found in Galatians 5:22-23). It is a nice list, but it is kind of vague, isn’t it? What exactly do I need to be thinking about? A few years ago I read Psalm 19 and it clicked. In Psalm 19 the author lists descriptor words for God’s Word. They were almost identical to the list in Galatians 5 and Philippians 4.
So what are we to think about? God’s Word! Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my heart and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Meditation is truly the key to transformation. Not just any mediation, but that focused on God’s word. Does it mean you have to keep everything quiet and pray? No, but that might help. The old hymn, written by Joachim Neander, called “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” has a line in it. It says, “Ponder anew what the Almighty can do.” Ponder the things of God through the Word of God and let’s see what God can do to our perspective.
The transformation that Paul talks about in Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23, and Colossians 3:1-3 is done by meditating. We sometimes associate meditating with Middle Eastern religion, but the Bible has a lot to say about meditation. (Isaiah 26:3, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2, Psalm 63:6, 1 Timothy 4:13-15) The word “meditate” simply means to reflect, consider, and ponder. Our meditation is not simply folding our hands and humming. Meditation is not about an emptying but a filling. Not just any filling, but a filling our minds with God’s Word.
My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments,
Which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.
Psalm 119:48
Meditation is not sitting in a quiet room, with our legs folded and eyes closed. Meditation means just thinking over and over about the same thing. Worry will fill our minds with doubts, over and over repeating the same fears. But God’s Word can dispel worry when we mediate on TRUTH from God’s Word! What do you need to be reminded of today? Look at Psalm 119 and see all that is true about God and His word! Meditate on THOSE THINGS!
The Bible is worthy of mediation.
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Sarah E. Frazer is a writer and Bible study mentor at sarahefrazer.com. She is the wife of Jason and mother of five who all serve as full-time missionaries in Honduras. Her passion is to encourage women to fall in love with the Bible. Sarah is the author of several Bible study resources for women. She shares tools for deep-rooted Bible study at sarahefrazer.com. Follow her on Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sarah_e_frazer) and join her free prayer challenge at sarahefrazer.com/prayer