In His Word do we meditate day and night!

In all my years as a Christian I have never spoken on nor heard a teaching on the value and benefits of meditation. I believe this is a grave disservice to the church. For His Word tells us that “This book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” First let me point out that He says meditate “in” it not on it. His Word instructs here that we meditate within the Word, just as we know He commands that His Word dwells within us.  

This command tells us that in meditating in His Word there will be consequences. If we meditate within it day and night we may observe to do what is written and be prosperous and have good success. Therefore it is clear that if we do not meditate in His Word we will not observe to do what is written and we will not prosper nor have good success. The reasons to know about meditation should be abundantly obvious. The Lord requires it of us and it is part of His plan for our success.

So, what is meditation?  Seldom will you hear me compare the people of the world with the people of God because there should be a stark contrast between the two. However, in this instance I believe the world has a better understanding and practice on meditation. They use meditation for various reasons. And yet, because of their disassociation with God their meditation is without the full profit, yet does provide some benefit to them. Meditation is the act of uttering, considering, contemplating, reflecting, pondering, and imagining. I believe successful meditation would require us to control or influence our souls (our mind, will and emotions) for a period of time for the purpose of concentrating on the Word of God.

The psalmist said I remember God when I lay on my bed and I will meditate on Him in the night watches. That means that when we lie on our beds instead of allowing our minds to ponder and rehearse the day’s activities or consider plans for tomorrow, we think of and consider the things of God. Perhaps we mutter or ponder His goodness toward us for this day. I find it important especially initial to not only think or ponder with the mind but to mutter with the mouth, because the mind hears the words spoken and responds in consideration as oppose to only thinking and trying to still the soul.  The Word says I will mediate on His Works and talk of His doings. It takes practice to keep our minds stayed on Him even for a brief time. However, if we practice, meditation gets easier and the benefits greater.

I could recite numerous health articles that would tout the benefits of meditation in the natural that include stress reduction, restful sleep, heart health, weight loss, decrease muscle tensions, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, increase breathing and lung capacity, prevents and controls chronic disease, more optimism, etc. Do you think for one moment that the Lord God who created ALL did not provide with full knowledge all these natural benefits when He commanded that we meditate on Him?  Yet, the spiritual benefits are greater in that when we meditate on Him we are being obedient to His Word, and we will have an increased understanding and knowledge of His Word. He will give peace to those whose mind is stayed on Him. His Word says, I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! Yet, through meditation He has given us a vehicle to search.