Christian Meditation 🐄 It's a "mooooving" experience.

Meditation is all the rage these days. I hardly go a day without encountering some reference to "mindfulness," be it through an article, or someone talking about its benefits, or whatever.

 

It's not really a new thing. In fact, meditation is an ancient practice. But not all kinds of "meditation" are the same.

 

Does meditation have a role in the Christian life? Absolutely. I mean, it's all over the Scriptures. But what's meant by meditation might not be quite what you'll find from the latest program on "Gaia" about mindfulness, or what you're new age friends might be practicing. It's nothing like Hindu or Buddhist meditation, either.

 

Let's see what the Bible says about it.

 

"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." (Josh 1:8)

 

Unlike the silent, introspective practices often associated with meditation, this text calls for an audible, active engagement with Scripture.

 

The verb used for "meditate" in this passage is וְהָגִיתָ (vehagita), derived from the root הָגָה (hagah). This term carries connotations of muttering, uttering, or even growling. It's the same word used for how cattle chew the cud.  

 

You know what that is, I presume. But in case you don't, a cow literally eats a little, digests it, then regurgitates it, chews it some more, etc. It sounds a little gross, because we aren't cows. But it's a vivid metaphor for how "meditating" on Scripture might be different than normal prayer, and certainly different than just "reading" the Bible.

 

When we look at it like that, that Joshua says the Torah (what's translated as Book of the Law here) shall not "depart from your mouth" makes more sense. It's a constant chewing and digesting of the Word of God. It implies that we have to really get the Word inside of us. We need to know it, consider it, reflect on it deeply.

 

It's not about sitting down to "read the Bible" just so we can get through our "read the Bible in a year" plan. Though, there is some benefit to that. Reading the entire Bible in a fairly short amount of time can help us see all the connections, how the "big plan" really works. It helps prevent missing the forest for the trees.

 

But sometimes, it's worth paying attention to the individual tree, and not losing its individual beauty in the bigger forest. There's also value to slowing down, letting the Word we meditate on absorb in us, to "chew the cud" of the verse, and let it really get inside of us more deeply.

 

We need both the big picture of God's Word, but also the deep wisdom that's packed into individual verses, the profound truth that we find in just a few verses. Both approaches are important. By keeping the "big picture" (the forest) in view, it helps us not misinterpret individual passages. By digging in deeper, though, to just a few verses (the trees) we get a better appreciation for what the big picture's like, it helps prevent us from settling for a surface level "big picture" that doesn't permeate to the depths of our hearts, minds, and souls.

 

This understanding of meditation stands in stark contrast to many popular conceptions. It's not like what's "all the rage" with all the meditation apps, and seminars that the new age gurus might be holding in your town.

 

It's not about emptying the mind, but filling it with truth. It's not about achieving a state of detachment, but fostering a deeper connection with God and His will for our lives. It's not about escaping reality, but engaging more fully with it through the lens of divine wisdom. 

 

The promise attached to this practice is equally compelling: "For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." However, we must be careful not to interpret this through the lens of modern materialism. The Hebrew terms used here, תַּצְלִיחַ (tatsliach) for "prosperous" and תַּשְׂכִּיל (taskil) for "success," carry connotations of wisdom, understanding, and skillful living. The prosperity promised is not merely financial, but a life lived in harmony with God's design. 

 

This concept of meditation finds echoes throughout Scripture. In Psalm 1, we find a similar idea: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night" (Ps 1:2). Here again, the same Hebrew root הָגָה (hagah) is used, reinforcing the idea of "chewing" on God's Word.

 

The New Testament continues this theme. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, He responded to each temptation with Scripture (Matt 4:1-11). His words, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matt 4:4), echo the principle we see in Joshua 1:8. The Word of God is not just a text to be studied, but the very sustenance of our spiritual lives.

 

The Apostle Paul exhorts believers to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Col 3:16). The Greek word used here, ἐνοικείτω (enoikeitō), carries the sense of making a home. Just as we are constantly aware of and interacting with our home environment, so should we be with God's Word.

 

This understanding of meditation has profound implications for our spiritual lives. It challenges us to move beyond sporadic Bible reading or passive listening to sermons. Instead, it calls us to a continuous, active engagement with Scripture that permeates every aspect of our lives. 

 

Practically, this might involve:

 

Regular, intentional reading and study of Scripture, not just for information, but for transformation. 

 

Memorizing passages of Scripture to facilitate continuous meditation. 

 

Sitting in silence, allowing the words of Scripture to wash over us, free from external distractions.  

 

Verbalizing Scripture through reading aloud, recitation, or discussion with others. 

 

Actively applying Scripture to daily life situations, seeking to align our actions with God's will. 

 

Using Scripture as a lens through which we view and interpret the world around us. 

 

This approach to God's Word is not always easy. It requires discipline, intentionality, and often a radical reshaping of our priorities and habits. But the rewards are immeasurable. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we find our minds renewed, our hearts transformed, and our lives increasingly aligned with God's purposes.

 

In practice, we might engage in a meditative practice where we close our eyes, and listen to the Scriptures, or sit in silence as we allow the Word of God ruminate in our minds. Let it digest, let it permeate every bit of you. That's what happens when you digest something. The nutrients work through your entire body, the vitamins and minerals, and all the macronutrients feed the body the way it needs to be fed, everything distributed by the body to its proper place.

 

In a world that often feels chaotic and unpredictable, the practice of biblical meditation offers a source of stability and guidance. It provides us with a constant reference point, a true north by which we can navigate the complexities of life.

 

As we internalize God's Word, we develop a biblical worldview that shapes our responses to every situation we encounter.

 

Moreover, this practice fosters a deeper, more intimate relationship with God. As we engage with His Word, we're not just acquiring information, but communing with the Author Himself. We begin to recognize His voice more clearly, discern His will more accurately, and reflect His character more faithfully.

 

The promise of prosperity and success attached to this practice is not a guarantee of an easy life free from challenges. It's not about health and wealth. Rather, it's the assurance that as we align ourselves with God's Word, we'll navigate life's challenges with wisdom, grace, and purpose. We'll make decisions that honor God and contribute to His kingdom. We'll find fulfillment not in worldly achievements, but in living out God's calling for our lives.

 

Today, let's challenge ourselves to embrace this radical, transformative approach to God's Word. Let's move beyond passive consumption to active engagement. Let's allow the living and active Word of God to permeate every aspect of our lives, shaping our thoughts, words, and actions.

 

May we echo the words of the psalmist: "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Ps 119:97). As we do so, may we experience the deep joy, profound wisdom, and true success that comes not in worldly terms, but that comes by growing in Godliness, from living in harmony with God's will.

 

In Jesus' name,

Judah