Meditating or reflecting on scripture can seem a bit daunting at times. A lot of people in general don’t really know what it looks like to meditate. In our busy lives to sit and reflect on a specific scripture and hear what God is trying to say to us is almost impossible. Especially, when you truly start reflecting on scripture. It starts renewing your mind and reshaping your thought patterns. Yet, there is no way we can follow God’s will for our lives if we don’t change our thinking. Our mindset needs to shift from worldly thinking to kingdom coming.
We need to note, quote, and devote ourselves to what the Lord is trying to teach us through scripture. As you navigate through scripture God will weave your thoughts and help you process. Our view on the world, other people, and ourselves starts to shift once we start meditating on scripture. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2
You begin to take on more fruits of the spirit just like you begin to take on characteristics of a friend you might hang out with to much. Meditation on scripture means keeping our minds, thoughts, attitudes, and actions focused fully on God.
When we read the bible we can’t just read it and be done with that passage for the day. We have to sit, chew on it for a bit, swallow it, and then digest it. A weird picture but it’s true. Whatever we put into our bodies we put out. If we eat healthy our whole demeanor will be healthy, strong, joyful, and happy. If we read and take to heart the scriptures we read our hearts start to change and we began to pour out the goodness the Lord puts into us.
Jesus can open our minds to the scriptures. It actually says he did this for his disciples in Luke 24:45. Personally, I have a very hard time understanding what I read, just in general. What I can do though is ask the Lord to revel his mysteries and truths to me as I read and He is faithful.
Even when you are struggling, whether it be with anxiety, depression, fear, sadness, or loneliness, meditating on scripture and on who God is helps. Many, many people throughout the bible knew it was important to meditate on scripture. The Word is living and brings life to those who heed its truths. Some people will be so in tune with the Word and God that they meditate on it night and day. Their mindset is a kingdom mindset and each person gleans only good from retaining more of God’s words.
“He went out to the field one evening to meditate…” – Genesis 24:63a
“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”- Colossians 3:16
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” – James 3:14-17
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. – 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
Praise the LORD. Blessed are those who fear the LORD, who find great delight in his commands – Psalm 112:1
37 For no word from God will ever fail.” – Luke 1:37
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. – Matthew 24:35
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself…Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. – Luke 24:27, 45
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. – 1 Corinthians 2:12
I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak. I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart meditated and my spirit asked: “Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”- Psalm 77:3-12
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. – Psalm 119:105
