Many people or Christians misconstrue the meaning of meditation. Certain people think meditation is mere silence while some people think that meditation is a way of sleeping quietly. The meaning of meditation goes beyond that. You may experience the day you dwell on each word of the Bible, tracing each line to get out the information or think about the pieces of passage you read by breaking them into parts. Then, you are meditating. At times, you sit quietly and focus your heart on scriptural messages with deep intimacy with them. Then you are meditating on the word of God.
A friend of mine shares that he enjoys going over and over Bible verses repeatedly to gain God’s rest and power. At times, he likes to read repeatedly to understand certain parts of the Bible pieces. Then, meditation takes place.
Have you had a deeper contemplation in your mind to gain an understanding of the Bible or God’s truth before? Any time you sit in a quiet place trying to know why, how, when, and who about the Bible and God’s works, love, God himself, and promises, you are then meditating about God. The essence of motivation is to add more value to your knowledge, and understanding of God. By meditating, you will be flourishing more and more as the apple of God (Psalm 1) There are some ways in which meditation can take place.
1. Meditation on God himself.
“I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16: 8). On my bed I remember you, I think of you through the watches of the night. (Psalm 63: 6).”
What should be the question of all Christians is who is this God? Where is this God? When we think deeply about God himself, He will reveal Himself to us who He is. The first way you can know God better is to meditate on Him by considering His existence (Psalm 119: 15; 78; 1 Timothy 2:7-8.)Also, you can please God to know what God is really. Therefore, when you please God, He will reveal Himself to you naturally (Psalm 104: 34). Read further Psalm 19: 14; 48: 9; 104: 34.
2. Meditation on the word of God.
“But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on his direction, he meditates day and night (Psalm 1: 2). Oh how I love your law. I meditate on it all day long (Psalm 119: 97).
All Christians should take the word of God as a priority to meditate. God told Joshua that the Book of Law must not depart from him. He should meditate on it always. (Joshua1: 8). As you meditate on the word of God, the better you close and understand God more (2 Timothy 2: 7; Genesis 24: 63; 104: 34). Search the word of God and ruminate the passage pieces; write them in the plate of your heart and the word always resides in your heart. By this, you can say God lives in your heart and He will begin to control your life. The word of God (Bible) is called the law because it contains the commandments of God (Psalm 1: 2). (Psalm 4: 4; Psalm 19: 14; 49: 3; Proverbs 4: 20-22). Read further about the meditation of the word of God. Psalm 1: 8; 22: 22; 40: 8; 119: 11; 119: 15; 119: 23; 119: 78; 119: 99; 119: 148.
3. Meditation on the work of God.
“I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. (Psalm 143: 5).“Shouts of joy and victory resound in the tents of the righteous: The Lord’s right has done mighty things. (Psalm 119: 15)
The mightiness of God is enough to praise Him and acknowledge His reverence always. When you sit and ruminate about His miracles and healing and mightiness, they call for thinking. If people can critically observe, they will discover the power of God over the universe. (Proverbs 6: 6). He is the One we can trust and rely on (Isaiah 26: 3) for perfect healing. His miracles over the world cannot be overemphasized (Psalm 77: 10-12). Think about how He made us in His image; think about the mountain; think about plants; think about the reproduction between humans, animals, birds, etc.; think about air and breeze; think about provisions; think about rivers, oceans, and sea; think about everything God has made. All this mightiness are work of God. Have ever meditated on them? Try to sit down and meditate on them, you will not forget about the work of God anymore. Read further about the meditation about the work of God. Psalm 143: 5; Psalm 77: 12; Psalm 111: 2; Psalm 119: 15; Psalm 119: 27.
4. Meditation on the promises of God.
“My eyes stay open through the watches of the night that I may meditate your promises. (Psalm 119: 148).”
The promises of God stand forever and those things we should meditate on. God promises us a lot of things and He fulfilled them. God is wonderful. God promised us His only begotten son which is Jesus; He fulfilled it (John 3: 1-20). He promised us comfort, victory over the afflictions and tribulations, satanic power and control, He fulfilled them all. What a wonderful promise of life that He gives us so that we can breathe and enjoy life. God fulfills all the promises. Read further about the promises of God. Psalm 77: 8: Luke 24: 49; Romans 4: 16; Ephesians 1: 13; 1 Timothy 4: 8; Hebrews 4:1; 2 Peter 3: 4.
5. Meditation on the love of God.
“For in Christ Jesus, neither circumstance nor uncircumstances have any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. (Galatians 5: 6). For God so loved the Word that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3: 16).”
The love of God is abundant over us and He gave us His son to die for our sins. The world has hope through the love of God. We are justified by faith through the love of God which is Jesus Christ. Consider this love (Philippians 4: 8; Isaiah 63: 6). Consider the love of God over us and all that concerns us (Luke 12: 24-27). When you teach, tell about the love of God; when you preach, tell about the love of God. (1 Timothy 4: 13-15). Our thinking and meditation must focus on the love of God over the people of the universe. Read further about the meditation on the love of God. Ecclesiastes 9: 1; Songs of Songs 2: 5; Jeremiah 2: 2; Matthew 24: 12; Romans 8: 35; 2 Corinthians 5: 14; 1 Thessalonians 1: 3.
Conclusion
As discussed above, meditation can be seen as a devotional exercise called contemplation. This article teaches us to remember God himself, the word of God, the work of God, the promises of God, and the love of God. And the meaning of meditation is not to be silent without knowing what you are silent for (purpose). All Christians should find time for God to think deeply about Him constantly. That is meditation. When you are quiet and busy with God, He will reveal Himself to you afresh.
