A Primer on Biblical Meditation

I can't explain meditation in its richness in only a few paragraphs (that's why I wrote the book), but if you're interested in a synopsis, here it is. Meditation can be divided into essentially four steps. The second is arguably optional.

 

REALIZE the content of God's truth.

  

God's truth is realized through reading and studying the Scriptures (and contemplating the works and ways of God that are observable).

 

RETAIN God's truth.

  

Even though meditation can be done without memorizing the text, some memory work must be done if meditation is to be periodically engaged in throughout the day (Psa. 1:2). Meditation generally works best when dealing with small units of the text (a verse or two).

 

REFLECT on God's truth.

  

"Ponder" is a good synonym for "meditate." Consider the meaning of the text for those who lived during its composition, then how it affects (or ought to affect) you in your workaday existence. How does it touch on your relationships in the home, family, work, church, and community?

RESPOND to God's truth.

 The response involved ought to be dictated either by the direct content of the text or a logical extension of it. For example, if the text contains one of the items in the left column, the logical response is shown in the right column:

A command A determination to obey, or an appeal to God for help in obeying
A description of a blessing, or of God's greatness An offering of praise and thanksgiving to God
A command that you have disobeyed, or a reminder of one Confession of sin (1 John 1:9)
An example of godly living An appeal to God for assistance in imitating that example
An example of disobedience or rebelliion An expression of your determination to stay away from such conduct, and an appeal for God's grace in helping you do so

 As you can see, meditation leads naturally to prayer. It is, in fact, the integration of Bible study and prayer: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psa 19:14).

Try some exercises in meditation.