Why Fear to Meditate?

In our age of increasing uncertainty, one sure way of staying on top is by the continuous activity of Scripture meditation. Many Christians, however, are afraid of the word “meditation.” They view it as something to be practiced by gurus, mystics, or the devotees of Eastern religions. They look scornfully at those who advocate its usefulness and power in the Christian life.

Scripture meditation in the Christian’s life, however, is as different from that practiced in Eastern religions as chalk is from cheese. Those who practice these other faiths advocate emptying the mind, while the Bible advocates filling it—with the truths of God’s holy Word.

David Ray, an American author and pastor of a large church, says: “I, for one, looked with suspicion on any Christian who advocated the practice of meditation. I thought to myself: ‘They are out of touch with reality. Give me action and work, lots of work. Let somebody else waste his time by staring at the end of his nose.'” Then somebody introduced him to the principles of Scripture meditation. He was shown how to place a verse of Scripture on the tip of his spiritual tongue and slowly suck from it the refreshment it contained.

The verse he chose as the focus of his meditation was the one before us today: “Stop your fighting—and know that I am God.” Take this text now and begin to focus on it. Place it on the tip of your spiritual tongue and draw from it hour by hour the spiritual refreshment that it contains. In your spare moments, pull it to the center of your mind and begin to experience the joy of drawing from God’s Word the power He has placed within it.

Further Study

1Pt 3:1-4; Jb 37:14; Ps 131:2; Isa 32:17

What is of great worth?

What advice was given to Job?