Meditation and its advantages are frequently discussed. Some people talk of transcendental meditation or having an out-of-body experience. Others speak of cleansing one's head of all thoughts in order to open one's mind to other dimensions.
As Christians, we are also told to meditate, but it is neither a meditation of abstract contemplation or emptying one's mind. We should focus on God's word, his precepts, his statutes, his wondrous works... and contemplate his ways, just as the psalmist did (ref. Psalm 119:15, 27, 48, 148). The term “mediate” has several connotations in Greek and Hebrew; we are to consider, ponder, compute, take into consideration, calculate, speak, and put God's message into practice.
It is not enough to know God's word or even to be aware of God. “You believe in a single God,” James wrote. You do admirably. “Even demons believe — and tremble” (James 2:19). He goes on to say that belief is meaningless until it is put into action.
Meditating on God's word helps us learn how to use it in our daily lives. The Holy Scriptures, as Paul reminded Timothy, are “capable of making you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus... that the man of God may be complete, totally equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:15, 17).
When Joshua took over the leadership of Israel from Moses, God informed him, "This book of the Law shall not go from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may do according to all that is written in it." For then you will be affluent, and you will have great success” (Joshua 1:8).
So focusing on God's word not only makes us wise for salvation, but also directs us in our daily lives. Paul instructed Timothy to focus on God's things so that his "progress may be obvious to all" (1 Timothy 4:15).
“O how I love your Law,” the psalmist exclaimed. It's my meditation throughout the day... Your orders make me wiser than my adversaries... I comprehend more than my teachers since your testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:97-99).
Satan is our most formidable foe. Drawing close to God and meditating on his ways makes us wiser than even our most ferocious adversary! “Draw near to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” James wrote (James 4:7-8).
Meditation can be thought of as a two-way discussion with God via his word. “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name... will teach you all things and bring to your recollection all that I have spoken,” Jesus declared, according to John (John 14:26). Meditating on God's word is one of the ways the Holy Spirit may teach and remind us.
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