Meditation

To read the Scriptures is good, (the Bereans were commended because they searched them daily - Acts 17:10-12) and to read other literature on spiritual subjects is also good, (Paul was concerned about his books and parchments - 2 Timothy 4:13), but it is also good to meditate on what we read. If we do not read in the first place a question arises as to what we are going to meditate on. However, if we read only we may find that what we appear to have gained by reading is soon lost. Both are necessary, the reading and the meditation. We may of course also meditate on what we have heard as well as what we have read. In the parable of the sower the seed that fell by the wayside was soon eaten by the birds and represented persons who heard but did not understand the word. They did not apparently seek to understand it: did not meditate on it so as to absorb it. It, so to speak, went in one ear and out the other (Matthew 13:19). We need to see that we do understand the word of God and meditation would help to that end (2 Timothy 2:7). God is pleased with those who are exercised to understand his word (Daniel 8:15-17).

Meditating is like chewing the cud (an internal matter) which was a test as to whether a creature was 'clean', that is, fit for human consumption, under the law of Moses (Leviticus 11:3). The result of rumination (chewing the cud) is that food is appropriated and the eater is built up by the nourishment received. This is so by spiritual eating as well as by physical. So far as the law of Moses is concerned the other test of what is fit for the consumption of God's people should not be overlooked: that the creature should have cloven hoofs (this is the external test). The Christian should be right both internally and externally. If he is really right internally he can hardly help being right externally (Matthew 23:26).

Meditation means we think over things as it is said of Mary the Mother of Jesus that she pondered certain things in her heart (Luke 2:19). The Psalmist tells us of the importance of meditation (Psalm 119, particularly verses 15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99 & 148). He tells us what he has gained by it. The writer of the first Psalm also tells us of the benefits derived from meditation. In verses 2 and 3 he says that blessed is the man whose "delight is in Jehovah's law, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he [is] as a tree planted by brooks of water, which giveth its fruit in its season, and whose leaf fadeth not; and all that he doeth prospereth".

It may be asked when should we meditate. In the Psalm just quoted it speaks of day and night, so that no time is unsuitable for meditation, though of course we should not be meditating when our minds should be on legitimate occupations. The first individual spoken of in Scripture as meditating was Isaac. He went out in the fields to meditate toward the beginning of the evening (Genesis 24:63). The evening is at the end of the day when we have normally completed our duties and our minds are free to meditate. We also find that the Psalmist meditated at night: " When I remember thee upon my bed, I meditate on thee in the night-watches" (Psalm 63:6). A more profitable way of relaxing than counting sheep ! In the Old Testament Joshua was enjoined to speak and to meditate on the law day and night that he might have good success in his ways, and prosper (Joshua 1:8).

It is not only in the Old Testament that we are enjoined to meditate, but Paul enjoins Timothy to meditate saying: " Think of what I say, for the Lord will give thee understanding in all things" (2 Timothy 2:7). Meditating is essentially thinking. Vine's Expository Dictionary says that the words 'think of' here mean 'perceive with the mind, think about, ponder'. The AV renders it 'consider'. Pondering is a similar thought. We have it in Matthew 1:20 and Acts 10:19.

There is, of course, a wrong kind of meditation. Thus we have: "[Why] do the peoples meditate a vain thing?" (Psalm 2:1; Acts 4:25). We need therefore to take care that our meditation is acceptable in God's sight (Psalm 19:14).