The Importance of Meditation

Meditation is often neglected by Christians. As Christians, we pray and we praise. We speak to God and we may sometimes even listen for His words. We read the Bible and we talk with others about its meaning. But how often do we simply meditate on God, His goodness, and His word? How often do we spend a quiet time alone in God’s presence with no purpose in mind – simply to ponder and reflect?

Perhaps one of the reasons some believers shy away from the exercise of meditating is because of the perverted ways in which false religions use this as a medium.

Unger explains, “Meditation is a duty that ought to be attended to by all who wish well to their spiritual interests. It should be deliberate, close, and continuous. The subjects that ought more especially to engage the Christian mind are: the works of creation; the perfections of God; the character, office, and work of Christ; the office and operations of the Holy Spirit; the dispensations of Providence; the precepts and promises of God’s words; the value, powers, and immortality of the soul; the depravity of our nature, and the grace of God in our salvation.”

Psalm 77 is a chapter on meditation. Asaph cries out to God, but his soul found no comfort. Have you ever felt like that? This Psalm begins to describe meditation with the use of words such as:

I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night (verse 2)
I remembered God (verse 3)
I have considered the days of old (verse 5)
I call to remembrance my song in the night (verse 5)
I commune with mine own heart (verse 5)
My spirit made diligent search – (verse 5)
I will remember (verse 10)
I will remember the works of the LORD (verse 11)
I will remember thy wonders of old (verse 11)
I will meditate also of all thy work – (verse 12)

How often do we just go through the motions and then wonder why we have no emotion concerning God or the things of God? The missing link is found with our heart. God reminds us to give Him our heart, both in the Old and New Testaments. Until He gets our hearts, our actions will never change.

The psalmist understands that what had really changed was his attitude. So he will force himself to remember all of God’s past blessings. Meditation is a spiritual discipline. There are times when we must discipline ourselves to meditate upon God. Asaph admits it is his own grief that has produced the despair in his heart. He has been practicing wrong thinking patterns. So he calls upon himself to meditate on the deeds of the Lord and God’s wonders of old. He understands that as he meditates on these things, those awful feelings will diminish. So he disciplines himself to meditate.

There are times when we must force ourselves to do things that we know are good for us. We can usually find time to read the Bible and to spend time in prayer each day. But do we make time to meditate on God? Let us be willing, as Asaph was, to discipline ourselves. The Daily Journal published by Reformers Unanimous is a tool that will help you “ponder” on God’s presence and power. It will help you look daily for His favor on you. Use it today!

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”