Published by When you think of meditation, what comes to mind? For me, the image of a cross legged, chanting, and incense-burning “mystic” pops into my mind. This, of course, is not biblical meditation. I’d heard people I know speak of meditation on Scripture. And I had read many articles and interviews of “big name” figures teaching on and extolling the practice of meditating on Bible verses and passages. None of these people were extreme, fringe, or “mystic” types so I knew I must be missing out on something here with this concept.
So, I know there is something to this practice but I don’t know where to go to get information, solid information, on it. I am, to be honest, too embarrassed to ask anyone I know and a check of the local library turned up nothing that was of any help. Then I got a revelation: look up the word in the dictionary! I don’t know why, but this and never even crossed my mind before. It was such a simple answer it is hard to see how I missed it now, other than God felt I wasn’t ready to begin to go down this road until this point in time.
Webster’s Dictionary defines meditate in the following way:
- To dwell on any thing in thought; to contemplate; to study; to turn or revolve any subject in the mind; appropriately but not exclusively used of pious contemplation, or a consideration of the great truths of religion.
- To intend; to have in contemplation.
Its funny how a simple look in one of the most famous and useful books in the world can open your mind up. I quickly understood the whole concept of Biblical meditation. I also understood that I was already practicing it without knowing I was. How could that be? I thought I was just pondering on God’s Word. I had not the slightest inkling that what I called pondering was what others referred to meditation. I do know that what ever term you choose to use for it, meditating, reflecting, or pondering, it is a very profitable and enjoyable practice. I highly recommend, if you do not currently do this, that you take time out of your busy schedule to ponder on a section of Scripture, one that the Holy Spirit directs you toward, each and every day. It is my belief that you’ll agree it is not only a profitable thing but an instructive one, too. Take God’s own Words on meditation into consideration for yourself and then ponder on them:
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. (Psalm 1:2; 77:12)
