Everywhere I go, I see the call for mindfulness or meditation. I've always thought of those things as something belonging to the new age or spiritual movement. But what would it look like for me as a follower of the way?
The definition of Meditate is: to engage in contemplation or reflection; to engage in mental exercise (as concentration on one's breathing or repetition of a mantra) for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness.
So in the definition of the word, it seems my fears of spiritualism are confirmed. But then I'm reminded that the world is the LORDs, and everything in it. I feel I'm ready to take back meditation as a way of connecting with the Holy Spirit of God.
What does the bible have to say about meditation?
- We meditate:
- God's law:
- Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.
Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.- Psalm 119:97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
- Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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.
- What God has done:
- Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
- Psalm 77:10-12 Then I said, "I will appeal to this, to the years of the right hand of the Most High." I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old. I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.
- Psalm 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.
- His promises:
- Psalm 119:148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
- Psalm 119:148 My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise.
- Meditation:
- Is Acceptable:
- Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
- Psalm 104:34 May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the Lord.
- Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
- Brings peace:
- Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
- Isaiah 26:3 You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
- Focuses on God:
- Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
- Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
- Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
- Guards us from sin:
- Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
- Psalm 119:9-11 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
- Psalm 4:4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
- Psalm 119:11 I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
- Brings wisdom:
- Psalm 49:3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
- Psalm 119:97-99 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
- Psalm 49:3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding.
