Our daily devotion and meditation of God and His Word can be considered as a diligent step towards an intense time with God in this busy life. When we think about meditation, the following verses in Psalm 1 might suddenly pop up in our mind.  Let us look very closely into it:

Blessed is the man - who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law 
he meditates day and night. (Psa 1:1-2)

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Here we see two ways of living: 1) “the way of the world” 2) “the way of the Word.” Those who “walk in the way of the wicked, stand in the way of sinners, and sit in the seat of scoffers” are people leaning around the world’s values. This way is the wide and easy one leading to destruction (Matt.7:13). At times this way of life seems the way of success and prosperity as seen in Psalm 73. However, Psalm 1 helps us see things in the eternal perspective: the prosperity of the wicked is transitory, for they are like chaff blown away by the wind. 

The alternative is a life of constant dependence and delight in divine instruction.  The “righteous” realize the deficiency of the world’s wisdom and values and they align their lives around God’s revealed Word. This is the life of faith as we see in Jeremiah 17:7-8 that leads to blessing, fruitfulness, and fellowship with God not only in the present world but in eternity. Think of a beautiful, strong, well-watered, fruitful tree (Ps. 1:3) and not the chaff. 

“… but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." Notice the progression: delight, then meditation. Delight is the response of the heart to the beauty and value of something/someone—in this case-God’s Word. But meditation involves careful sustained thought—it requires work and involves the will. Meditation allows the Word to penetrate our mind, heart, and will by which we are “transformed by the renewal of our mind” (Romans 12:2). Meditation sends our roots down deep, drawing more of the life-giving water of the Word.

 

How to cultivate Meditation:

Our lives are unbelievably distracted with multi-tasking, constantly wandering all over all the time; hence meditation of the Word doesn’t come so easily. Therefore, it is imperative to intentionally cultivate the practice of meditating God’s Word.

We must discipline our life by finding a consistent time, place (away from all distractions), and plan. Then read slowly and carefully; re-read and re-read until it registers in our mind. Reading out loud helps. Read carefully and prayerfully!  Memorize some of the Scripture that you read which can nourish you in your days of famine. While you read a book of the Bible refer a good commentary. Pray about a plan for Bible meditation for a year and talk about your plan with your leader or brother/sister.

May we develop a systematic study of the Word, delighting in the beauty and value of God’s revealed Word, sustaining and strengthening that delight through intentional meditation! We will then get to know the LORD more and more each day! As we meditate on the Lord Himself, we shall be moved to praise and worship. 

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To Aspire:  

As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God; When shall I come

and appear before God? 
Psalm 42:1-2