Meditate on it Day and Night

How happy is the one who does not walk in the advice of the wicked

or stand in the pathway with sinners

or sit in the company of mockers!

Instead, his delight is in the LORD 's instruction,

and he meditates on it day and night.

He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams

 that bears its fruit in its season and whose leaf does not wither.

 Whatever he does prospers.

(Psalm 1:1-3 CSB17)

Our world is filled with wicked people, sinners, and mockers of God. They are constantly seeking to influence us. Sometimes they use subtle, seductive ways, and sometimes they use brazen displays of evil. We will be happy if we don’t join with them. But as God’s people we don’t merely avoid evil. We love God and seek to live according to His instruction.

The Lord’s instruction is found in His Word, the Bible. As God’s people we should delight in the Bible. In the Bible we hear the words of the One we love with all our heart, mind, and strength. Delighting in the Bible should lead us to meditate on it day and night. Doing so will make us fruitful in God’s work, no matter what our circumstances are. We will prosper in all we do, because we will be doing all those things the Lord desires us to do and we will be doing those things His way and by His strength.

How to Meditate

I’ve never studied eastern meditation. I’ve heard it said that part of eastern meditation involves emptying your mind. Biblical meditation is the opposite of that. Biblical meditation involves filling our minds with God’s Word. The goal is to work God’s Word deep into our hearts and minds so that it will control our lives.

Practically speaking, how do we do this?

Moses gave some helpful guidance to the Israelites:

These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.

Repeat them to your children.

Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead.

Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

(Deut. 6:6-9 CSB17)

Much of what Moses said we should apply today. In addition, we have many other ways to meditate on God’s Word. Here are some practical ways to fill your heart and mind with God’s Word today:

1. Read it! There are many excellent Bible reading plans. Just Google Bible Reading plan. You can read through the whole Bible in a year, or through the New Testament. You can read the books in the order they are found in your Bible or in chronological order. You can read from your favorite well-worn Bible or try a new translation online. Added note (added 12/24/20). I've just started a new Facebook group for people who want to read through the New Testament together starting on January 1, 2021. We will be using a 24 week reading plan. The group is intended to provide encouragement and to allow people to ask questions or share thoughts and insights as they read. If you want to join, here is the link to the group:   Treasuring God's Word.

2. Memorize it. There are also many Bible memorization plans. Or you can choose your own verses or passages to memorize. You can use a system to retain memory verses over time, or you can memorize some verses or passages and then move on to others.

3. Study it. You can study on your own or with others. Use a highlighter or underline verses and take notes. You can use just your Bible, or you can learn from other believers through commentaries and other Bible study aides. You can work verse by verse through a book, or you can study a word or a topic. You might want to use a journal to keep notes in. You can join a Bible study or Sunday school class. If there’s not one that’s a good fit, you can start one either by leading it or by asking someone you know who likes to teach the Bible to lead one that you will help host.

4. Memorate it. “Memorate” is a word I made up that combines “memorize” and “meditate.” Sometimes I will print out a passage of Scripture to take with me on my morning walk. I print out the passage in a large, bold font, so that I can read it comfortably without my reading glasses while walking. Then I will slowly read it line by line, over and over again. As I read it over and over, I think about it and pray about it. Sometimes I intentionally work on memorizing it as I do this. The more I read it, think about it, and memorize it, the more truth I see in it and the more I see how it applies to my life, family, church, and others. Sometimes I memorate on the same passage for many days and sometimes just for one day. You can memorize large passages of Scripture this way, but that’s not a necessary part of memorating. If you don’t go for walks, you can do something similar in any quiet setting, like sitting on your back porch or in your favorite chair.

5.  Listen to Bible-based sermons, both at your own local church and online (listening online is a good supplement to, but not a good substitute for, listening at a local church).

6.  Listen to Scripture songs. There are many songs where the words are all (or nearly all) from Scripture.

7.  Put up posters, artwork, magnets, stickers, and more with Bible verses on them.

There are many ways to fill our minds with God’s truth and encouragement. You don’t have to use all the methods at once! Whichever methods you use, use them prayerfully. I’m not just talking about a quick prayer before you read or study (although, of course, that’s good). You should frequently stop to pray about the things you read, hear, and learn. Share what you learn with others. For some, this might be done in a formal teaching setting. Everyone can share with friends in personal conversation and on social media (if you do that). Your conversations should frequently include sharing what God has been showing you through His Word. Expect God to often use something you have recently read or studied to help other people!

God’s Word is worth more than gold, is sweeter than honey, more important than our daily food, and a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare.

May God bless you through His Word!

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .