Think, Ponder, Meditate

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God

Meditation is… spiritually “digesting” the Scripture—applying it, thinking out how it affects you, describes you, guides you in the most practical way. Timothy Keller, in Prayer

When I say the word meditate, what picture comes to mind? For many, it’s a person sitting in the lotus position with thumb and middle finger forming a circle, eyes shut, muttering the inimitable “Ohm, ohm, ohm.” 

Even if you think that image is silly, Harvard scientists released a study last year demonstrating how meditation helps “fight the crippling high stress levels we experience during our busy lives…[and] it can change the physiology of a person’s brain.” [See http://mic.com/articles/103790/science-has-amazing-news-for-people-who-meditate] Although it referred to human techniques, can you imagine how much higher the scoring would have been if they had also considered the spiritual discipline of meditating on Scripture! 

I’m often asked by Christ followers about how to deal with stress in their lives. Although it is a complex issue, many believers are not thinkers, ponderers, meditators. Listen to King David’s testimony of this: I meditate within my heart… I will also meditate on all Your work…. I will meditate on Your precepts… My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word. [Psalm 77:6, 12; 119:15, 148].

If you are one of the Christ followers that meditate, good for you. Keep it up! If not, I urge you to get started right away. But how, you ask? First, read and study God’s word, the Bible. Afterwards, start thinking about what you’ve read. Ponder it as you shower, exercise, work around the house, take breaks or lunchtime at work. Turn off the TV set a little early, find a comfortable chair or sofa and sit quietly, reflecting on your reading. You can even meditate as you rest in bed before going to sleep. 

It won’t take long before you realize that you are getting into the Word of God and His Word is getting into you. That’s delightful!

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2