Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Christian meditation is misunderstood, seen as too complicated, and usually misused. My personal experience with meditation erred in all three of these ways until I read about it in Richard Foster’s book, The Celebration of Discipline.
Misunderstood meditation. Most people think of meditation in terms of Eastern religions—the emptying of the mind and letting go of the world. But the goal of Christian meditation is to fill your mind with the Word of God and to let Him change you.
Complicated meditation. I always saw meditation as something reserved for the so-called “Spiritual Giants,” perhaps for monks and priests or a super-spiritual pastor. Could an amateur Christian like myself actually meditate? The truth is that we all can!
Misused meditation. Even on the rare occasion that I did attempt to meditate on Scripture, I would close the door behind me, think really hard about the Word, and then, when I was done, go outside and try to do it—usually to no avail. I later learned that meditation is not a single act done apart from our day, but an attitude of prayerful contemplation. It is a choice to be mindful of God and His Word throughout my day. (This definition requires that I already read and study the Word.) So, if I hold on to God’s Word throughout my day then I have to let go of something else. I have to let go of my own understanding, which is usually wrong anyway.
Now that you understand how simple it is, it’s your turn. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 today. Read it again. Commit it to memory. Take it with you all day long. Trust Him, lean on Him, acknowledge Him, and He will guide you.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to meditate on Your Word all day long.
Misunderstood meditation. Most people think of meditation in terms of Eastern religions—the emptying of the mind and letting go of the world. But the goal of Christian meditation is to fill your mind with the Word of God and to let Him change you.
Complicated meditation. I always saw meditation as something reserved for the so-called “Spiritual Giants,” perhaps for monks and priests or a super-spiritual pastor. Could an amateur Christian like myself actually meditate? The truth is that we all can!
Misused meditation. Even on the rare occasion that I did attempt to meditate on Scripture, I would close the door behind me, think really hard about the Word, and then, when I was done, go outside and try to do it—usually to no avail. I later learned that meditation is not a single act done apart from our day, but an attitude of prayerful contemplation. It is a choice to be mindful of God and His Word throughout my day. (This definition requires that I already read and study the Word.) So, if I hold on to God’s Word throughout my day then I have to let go of something else. I have to let go of my own understanding, which is usually wrong anyway.
Now that you understand how simple it is, it’s your turn. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 today. Read it again. Commit it to memory. Take it with you all day long. Trust Him, lean on Him, acknowledge Him, and He will guide you.
Prayer: Lord, teach me to meditate on Your Word all day long.
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