Meditation

Wayne Burger

Spiritual gurus and modern-day cults have given the idea of meditation a bad connotation. Actually, meditation is a biblical idea and a wonderful means for spiritual growth. Jean Fleming suggests another reason few folks do much meditating. “Our practical, materialistic society so values action over meditation, study and prayer that we often feel guilty when we stop to think, study or pray” (Between Walden and the Whirlwind, p. 47). To meditate means to spend time in deep thought about a particular subject.

Great Men of God Meditated

“Isaac went out to meditate in the field toward evening” (Genesis 24:63). When Joshua took over leadership of the nation after Moses’ death God instructed, “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate on it day and night” (Joshua 1:8). Several times in Psalm 119 David said that he meditated (vs. 15, 23, 48, 78, 97, 99). Even though we do not have a specific mention of Jesus meditating, it is implied in that He spent time alone (Matthew 4; 14:13, 22-23; Mark 6:31; Luke 6).

Of course, our goal should be like the righteous man in the first Psalm and it says of him, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (v. 2). Somewhere, I’ve come across this statement which should be our challenge: “In the midst of our chaotic lives of activities, demands, and responsibilities, it is possible to retreat, reflect, and read and by so doing to feed the inner man, to grow in our spiritual lives, while remaining intensely involved in a very needy world.” Let’s find the time, even if it is just a few minutes a day to meditate on God’s Word.

Where and When to Meditate?

Each one must find his special spot and time. Isaac’s time and spot was evening and in a field (Genesis 24:63). David said that he meditated during the night watches while in bed (Psalm 119:148; 63:6). Some folks prefer morning, others prefer evening, and some during the day. The time matters to no one except you. What’s best for you? Hopefully, you can find a time when you can be alone with your Bible and your God. It is best if you can spend the same time each day meditating. That soon becomes a habit—a good habit.

wayne@rockymountainchristian.com