How to Meditate on God

“…when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;” (Psalm 63:6)

Meditation is an essential ingredient to a mature Christian walk with Christ. Notice that I said “mature Christian walk.” The Christian who is not meditating on God’s word regularly is not walking in a manner consistent with maturity in the faith. And as we all want to grow up in the faith, meditation needs to be present in us to do so.

So we should begin by saying that meditation is something we all should be doing as Christians. It is not a matter of “if” but “when” we meditate. Remove from your mind any idea that you, as a believer in Jesus Christ, should not be meditating on God.

How often should we be doing it? All the time!

A quick reference will demonstrate this.

“Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)

If you are not in the habit of meditating, then turn to the Lord for help, that He would instill in you this godly practice. It is the declaration of God that His people meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:2) As a believer in Jesus Christ you are neither excepted nor exempted from this practice.

OK, so we need to meditate, but what is it?

Biblical meditation, or Christian meditation is the remembrance of, the contemplation of, the pondering of, the questioning of and the wonderment over God, His nature and His works. It is not the emptying of the mind, which many other forms of meditation require, but rather the filling of the mind with something specific. As we meditate as Christians, we fill our minds with something specific about our Lord.

What should we meditate upon?

Generally, there are three things we should meditate upon as Christians. We should meditate on God’s nature, God’s works and God’s word. Who is God? What has God done? What has God said (or commanded)?

We should think about the nature of God, His characteristics or attributes.

“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.” (Psalm 143:5)

We should meditate upon the works of God.

“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds.” (Psalm 77:12)

We should meditate on God’s words (including His commandments).

“I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.” (Psalm 119:99)

Now, meditating regularly on these three will keep us busy enough, but there are two more things to remember when meditating on God.

Our meditations should be focused. In other words, be disciplined in your meditation of God. Don’t let your mind jump all over the place like a jack rabbit in some field. Consider one attribute, one work or one law of God and stay fixed on it for a while. Think about it. What does it mean? What are its implications? What impact should it have on your life? Ask God to give you knowledge and wisdom from it. Pray over it.

Jacob wrestled God until He was blessed. Do the same with meditation. Don’t leave until your Lord blesses you from it.

Our meditations should be word based. By that I mean what we think about God, His works and His words should be governed by the word of God. It’s not, “Hey, I think God is…..” Rather, it is “God tells me in His word that He is….” See the difference?

Learn to be disciplined in your meditations of God, that they do not cross over the boundaries of His word.

Meditation is a lovely, fruitful practice which will yield wonderful things in your life. Begin today by considering one aspect of your God. Ask God to bless you from it. Do it so that you will grow in your relationship with God and your knowledge of Him. In time, you will find that your behavior will change as well.

Meditate on the Lord, and be the Christian God declares you to be in His word.