When Joshua was about to lead Israel into the Promised Land, God gave him this instruction: “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” (Joshua 1:8). Meditation was God’s prescribed method for internalizing Scripture.
Biblical meditation is quite different from Eastern meditation, which often involves emptying the mind. Instead, biblical meditation means filling your mind with God’s Word through thoughtful, prayerful reflection.
1. Slow Down and Savor
Meditation requires unhurried time:
- Choose a short passage (even a single verse)
- Read it multiple times slowly
- Emphasize different words each time
- Pause between readings to let the words sink in
Try reading Psalm 23:1 five times, each time emphasizing a different word: “THE Lord is my shepherd,” “The LORD is my shepherd,” and so on. Notice how the meaning shifts with each emphasis.
2. Personalize the Text
Make Scripture your own conversation with God:
- Replace pronouns with your name
- Rewrite passages as prayers
- Turn statements into questions for self-examination
For example, transform Colossians 3:12 from “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts…” to “Lord, help me, [your name], as your chosen and beloved child, to put on a compassionate heart today…”
3. Visualize the Scene
Use your imagination to enter the biblical narrative:
- Picture the setting, people, and actions described
- Imagine yourself as one of the characters
- Consider what you might see, hear, feel, or smell
When reading about Jesus calming the storm (Mark 4:35-41), imagine the spray of water, the howling wind, the disciples’ panic, and the sudden, astonishing calm.
4. Connect to Your Life
Move from reflection to application:
- Ask: “Where do I see this truth in my own experience?”
- Consider: “What would change if I truly believed this?”
- Pray: “Lord, show me how to live this out today”
For your next study session: Choose Psalm 1:1-3, which itself describes meditation on God’s Word. Spend 15 minutes with just these verses. Read them slowly, visualize the imagery of the tree planted by streams, personalize the promises, and consider what it means to be “like a tree planted by streams of water” in your daily life.
What verse might you select for extended meditation this week?
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