An Introduction to Biblical Meditation

Biblical text

Here Ian provides a definition of biblical meditation and a suggested plan of how to approach it...

Two Christian disciplines that I'm often asked about are biblical meditation and prayer.  Often the questions are with regard to the 'how to'.  Biblical meditation is one way of helping you grow closer to God. It will also enhance your prayer life.

Some definitions of 'meditation':

'Meditation is the devotional practice of pondering the words of a verse, or verses of Scripture, with a receptive heart, allowing the Holy Spirit to take the written Word and apply it as the Living Word to the inner being. The result is the impartation of divine truth, being a response to God.'
-Campbell McAlpine

Meditation has also been described as 'the digestive faculty of the soul'.

Jeremiah wrote:
'When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear Your name, O Lord God Almighty' (Jer 15:16).

A suggested plan for biblical meditation:

Preparation:

Try and be disciplined in setting time aside each day and keep to it; try and find a place where you will not be disturbed.  Go for quality, not quantity, both in time and amount of scripture you read. It is better to aim at 30-45 minutes on one or two verses each day, rather than 3 or 4 chapters as and when you feel like it.

Choose your Bible reading. Psalms are always good, or a reading you feel the Lord may have put on your heart.  If you have a Word Study or Chain Reference Bible/Concordance, you might like to follow through a theme e.g. mountains, rivers, salvation, love, money.  Although it is helpful to have a Bible Dictionary, and Commentaries can be very useful, I suggest that you only consult these after having first meditated on the Word and allowed God to speak to you.

Have a notebook handy.

Now you are ready to meditate on God's Word!

Action:

Having selected your scripture, ask the Holy Spirit to help you, to speak to you and help you to develop Christlike qualities: 'Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions' (Psalm 119:18); 'Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path' (Psalm 119:105).

Read the whole Psalm or portion of scripture two or three times to see the overall picture.  Then think about what each verse is saying and who it applies to.  Meditate on each verse, chew it over, picture the scene and ask questions of it.  Are there:

  • any words that stand out?
  • any promises to claim?
  • any conditions to be met?
  • any repentance/forgiveness needed?

Be ready to respond to God's Word as the Holy Spirit prompts; and as you are meditating, it is helpful to write in your notebook:

  • the date, scripture reference and a heading or title if you want;
  • any thoughts, impressions, promises etc. you have become aware of;
  • any action you need to carry out in obedience to His Word;
  • things or people to pray for.

You will be amazed by what you find.

Over the next four months we will be looking at:

  • Psalm 1 (January 2010);
  • Psalm 89 (March 2010);
  • Psalm 92 (April 2010); and
  • Psalm 84 (May 2010).

I invite you to come on a journey with me, and see what we can learn and discover about our amazing God.

  • This week's word...

  • "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another."

    [John 13:34-35, NIV]

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