Meditating on God’s Word

What comes to mind when you hear the word meditate? Do you imagine a person sitting cross-legged, wrists on knees, humming? Maybe you use an app that helps slow down your mind. Meditating on God’s Word is much more than these.

Dictionary.com defines it this way:
** to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.
** to engage in, transcendental meditation, devout religious contemplation, or quiescent spiritual introspection. 

Quiescent means to be at rest, quiet, still, inactive or motionless. Does that remind you of any Scripture verses?

Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

What about some synonyms?
Contemplate, brood over, cogitate, consider, deliberate, design, devise, dream, entertain idea, figure, have in mind, intend, moon, mull over, muse, plan, ponder, purpose, put on thinking cap, puzzle over, reflect, revolve, roll, ruminate, say to oneself, scheme, speculate, study, think, think deeply, think over, track, view, weigh

Antonyms?
Dismiss, ignore, neglect

I think the two most recognizable Bible verses regarding meditating on God’s Word are below:

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. (Joshua 1:8)

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers. (Psalm 1:1–3)

Often in reading the Psalms, we come across the little word, Selah. Its exact meaning is not known; but it is believed to mean: pause and think about this, or praise, or even prepare for what’s coming next. In any case, whenever you read the word, Selah–stop.

Selah.  (Yes. Stop, please.)

It’s hard to do, isn’t it?  Clearly, God expects us to meditate on His Word,  but it takes time. In our harried schedules,  slowing down is the last thing we want to do.

Meditating on God’s Word is when our roots grow deep. Share on X

If you only have a few minutes for your quiet time, you’re better off taking 5-10 minutes meditating on a verse or two, than reading a whole chapter, saying a quick prayer, closing your Bible and starting your day.  It’s helpful to keep a notepad and pen handy so you can write down the insights the Holy Spirit gives you.

One way to meditate on a verse is to read a verse over and over–each time emphasizing a different word–thus gaining a new perspective each time through. My favorite way to meditate on Scripture is to use a tool in inductive study:  asking the 5 W’s and an H: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How. This isn’t running to different commentaries to see what someone else said. Although it’s good to get input from trusted sources, it’s best to start first with just the words of Scripture, letting the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. Don’t do this in a hurry. Take your time.

So, for just a few minutes, let’s meditate on a couple of verses. I’m going to look at it from the perspective of a woman, so you’ll see the pronoun she throughout.

• Blessed is the [woman] who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers
• but [her] delight is in the law of the Lord,
• and [she] meditates on his law day and night.
• [She] is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season
• and [her] leaf does not wither—
• whatever [she does] prospers.

Who are we talking about?
The woman who delights in the law of the Lord

What is the law of the Lord?
God’s Word

What is significant about this woman?
She delights in the law of the Lord

What does it mean to delight in the law of the Lord?
To enjoy it; to want it; to be pleased with it

What else?
She meditates on the law of the Lord

What does it mean to meditate?
See our definition above!

When – is time associated with this? (When does she meditate?)
She meditates day and night.

Why? (In this case, what is the result?)
She is like a tree.

What kind of tree?
Firmly planted tree

Where is this tree planted?
By streams of water.

What (or why)  is beneficial about being planted by a stream of water?
The tree is close to its source of nutrients – always available.

What is the result of getting enough water?
Yields fruit.

What is fruit?
Fruit is what others enjoy as a result of your life faithfulness to the Lord.

When does it yield fruit?
In its proper season–or the right time.

=> So for the three questions above, we can say that the fruit of this tree is “the right words or actions at the right time.”

What else about the tree (or the person)?
Does not wither–instead–she prospers.

When or How does she prosper?
In whatever she does.

To summarize, we can say:  The woman who enjoys God’s Word, takes time to think deeply about what God says, reflecting on it and being spiritually nourished by it throughout the day. As a result, she is ready and equipped to handle whatever comes her way, blessing others in the process!

I can ask myself:
Am I a tree that is planted close to my source of nutrients? Am I producing fruit that blesses others?

Taking it a step further, I can ask:
Why is the word but there? What is being contrasted?

Look at the antonyms listed.
Am I neglecting the Word of God? And if I am, how does that show up in my life?

Meditation transforms us into a new person by changing the ways we think, speak, and act. Share on X

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  (Romans 12:2, emphasis added) 

I hope that this simple exercise in meditating on God’s Word has shown you how helpful it can be to … s-l-o-w   d-o-w-n … to meditate–ponder–contemplate–carefully consider–what God has written in His Word. Maybe tomorrow you can look at some of the other verses.  What will be the result? A life that is firmly planted in the Word of God–not withering, but prospering in all God calls you to do.

Let’s build a forest!

Tree image by Ian Shiell [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons