Biblical meditation is so worthy of our time and attention because “the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). That’s just scratching the surface of the Bible’s power: “the Holy Scriptures...are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15-17). So many powerful reasons why we should meditate!

The Bible is the Word of truth (John 17:17) and one of God’s convicting agents. The other is the Holy Spirit, “the Spirit of truth” which will “guide you into all truth...and tell you things to come” (16:13). No wonder Paul told Timothy to “stir up the gift of God which is in you...For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

If we are not meditating as much as we should God is always eager to stir us up! For effective meditation, we should first ask God to guide us by the Holy Spirit. Talk about power potential! It's just waiting to be unleashed by diligently studying and pondering God’s life-changing instruction book.

Clearing up misunderstanding

Biblical meditation is not to be confused with various New Age Eastern transcendental meditation practices that originated in Hinduism and Buddhism from India and China and became popular in the 1970s. “Beyond Today” and “New Age” may appear like similar visions but seeking first the Kingdom and righteousness of God (Matthew 6:33) is beyond comparison with Satan’s counterfeit practices that are merely rooted in this “present evil age” (Galatians 1:4).

Aren't you glad that biblical meditation does not require twisting oneself into pretzel positions! And rather than trying to empty the mind in a trance-like state, biblical meditation aims to fill the mind through focused thinking about how to build a personal relationship with God the Father and become one with Him—not with the universe or Mother Nature. God has planned a thrilling future we can look forward to and think about!

Biblical meditation is desiring the mind of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:5) and “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). Our future soon-coming Savior wants our mind engaged, deeply appreciating that our Father has called us to Their eternal family.

Instead of chanting a mantra (a silent meaningless sound or vibration) to free up “inner power” through self-discovery and enlightenment, biblical meditation realizes that Jesus warned against vain repetition (Matthew 6:7) and, though God in the flesh, said, “I can of Myself do nothing” (John 5:30). He said His Father gave Him what to say and did the miracles through Him. God’s children want their Father and Older Brother to come live in them through the Holy Spirit and replace their selfish human nature with godly love—unselfish outgoing concern.

The Psalms contain the most instruction about meditation

Psalm 19:7-14, penned by David, testifies to the value of the law, testimony, statutes, commandments and judgments (verses 7-9). “Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults…[and] presumptuous sins” (verses 11-13). Wise meditation welcomes correction.

David concluded, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). Meditation of his heart was square on the mind of the man after God’s own heart! Is it on ours?

Psalm 119 has 176 verses—many about meditation—extolling God’s law, testimonies, precepts, statutes, commandments, judgments, words, ordinances and judgments. Verse 1 kicks off with “walk in the law of the Lord.”

My go-to place conducive to meditation is the Greenhorn Trail about a half mile from our home—quiet, peaceful, with hardly anyone on the trail, where I can look up at the majestic hogbacks and God’s creation at different seasons of the year. Jesus went to the mountains to get away from it all. Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening. David marveled at the night sky and pondered “what is man?”

Take note of verse 11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart.” This will enable you to meditate when you don’t have a Bible handy. Challenging times are coming when we will be thankful for any verses we have memorized.

Night and day

Verse 97 tells when to meditate: “Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.” Psalm 63:6 covers the rest of the hours, “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.”

Learning to meditate when you can’t sleep is easily the best opportunity for improving the use of this Christian power tool. If you can't find anything to think about, try recalling a passage of scripture, such as Revelation 4, which speaks about God's throne room and the incredible power at His command. Another idea is to follow Jesus' model prayer outline. So, tossing and turning? Better than counting sheep, toss the covers and turn the pages of your Bible, or recall these verses that you have read and perhaps studied that day, contemplating on those as you let God fill your mind with understanding. Meditation is the tool that allows God to “connect all the dots” so we see how scriptures relate to each other and the beauty of God's plan.

Meditation must lead us to doing

Psalm 1:1-3 and Joshua 1:8 confirm the value of meditating during the day and at night but emphasize a crucial aspect: “whatever he does shall prosper” and “that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” Joshua would powerfully lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. We need this on our march to the Kingdom! Effective meditation will help Jesus find us “so doing” (Matthew 24:46).

Now consider how combining prayer and fasting with meditation and Bible study can increase their effectiveness. Jesus said some things come out only with prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). On a fast day, it would be good to spend extra time in meditation, as well as prayer and Bible study.

How can we thank God for such wonderful power tools? “Whatever things are true...noble...just...pure...lovely...of good report, if there is any virtue and...anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).