Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Why Should I Meditate On The Bible

By: Jenifer Metzger

med·i·tate
/ˈmedəˌtāt/
verb
• think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time

We all meditate on something. We spend our day thinking deeply or focusing on something. Sometimes it's the chaos of the world, sometimes it is our finances, sometimes it's the fight we had with our husband, our kids, our work, our health, a neighbor, a friend, our church, there are so many different things that cause us to think deeply or command our focus. We wake up with this thing on our mind, we think about it many times throughout the day, and we fall asleep still thinking about it.

What if we took that energy, that time, and instead meditated on the Bible?


How happy is the one who does not
walk in the advice of the wicked
or stand in the pathway with sinners
or sit in the company of mockers!
Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction,
and he meditates on it day and night.
He is like a tree planted beside flowing streams
that bears its fruit in its season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1

Psalm 1 tells us to meditate on the Lord's instruction day and night. It goes on to say that when we do, we are like a tree planted by water and bearing fruit. It even says we will prosper.

When we shift our thoughts, our time, and our energy and meditate on the Word of God, we learn the heart of God, we learn to hear His voice, we learn what pleases Him, we learn what He wants for us, and we learn to be thankful. We become a tree bearing fruit!

So how do we meditate on the Bible?

Have a regular time to study the Bible each day. Be intentional and set aside time each day to read and study the Bible. Take smaller sections, like one chapter or even a few verses, and really dig into them. Use the cross reference tools your Bible may have. I highly suggest a study or commentary Bible. These Bibles give great insight to help you understand why a word may have been used, or what the culture was at that time, things like that. It really helps you to understand the Word. Purposely use this time to dig into the Bible and study.

Read throughout the day. Instead of shutting your Bible and putting it away after you study, leave it out and open. As you go about your day, your eyes and heart will be drawn to it. You can read one verse as you walk by or read another verse if you start feeling stressed or read some verses before bed. These little bits of God's Word throughout the day make a huge impact.

Pray before and after reading. When you sit down to read the Bible, be sure to pray before asking God to open your eyes to what He wants you to see. When you are done reading, pray again asking God to help you know how to apply it to your life. Another important thing is to pray the words you are reading.

Consider journaling. Journaling can be done so many ways. You can write out verses, you can write out prayers, you can draw, color, or paint, there are so many options! The point of journaling is to slow you down and help you chew on what you read.

Instead of scrolling social media, read. We spend countless hours each day scrolling mindlessly through social media. When we are bored, we scroll. When we are waiting, we scroll. We even scroll while we are doing other things, hello multi-tasking! How about instead of scrolling through just to see what is going on in the world, we open the Bible and read a few verses. Instead of getting upset about some drama we see on Facebook, or discontent with what we have from an Instagram post, or angry about political posts, we will be uplifted and closer to God.

Remember, when we meditate on the Bible, we are getting closer to the heart of God. Who doesn't want that? Let's be women who meditate day and night on our Father's Words.






It's time for Share A Link Wednesday! Each Wednesday we invite you to leave a link to your latest blog post in the comments. We still desire to connect women of God with one another and encourage each other in Christ. So grab a cup of coffee or glass of sweet tea, sit back and visit a few blogs. Be encouraged and share your own stories.






10 comments:

  1. I'm grateful to be sharing Rebecca Hasting's great resource for Christian meditation on the Word in this week's post. And it's true that in this season, we need to guard our thoughts more carefully than ever: https://michelemorin.net/2020/03/25/moments-stillness-focused-truth/

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    1. I have always enjoyed Rebecca's blog post. Thank you for sharing about this book!

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  2. In times of crisis, we're even more aware of our need for God's truths to lean on. I've leaned so much on scripture that I've memorized in the past to help me control my anxious thoughts in the present. I'm getting ready now to start memorizing Psalm 91. I need these reminders that God has got this!

    If anyone else wants to join in to memorize Psalm 91, here's the link from Do Not Depart:

    https://donotdepart.com/memorize-psalm-91

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    1. Lisa, I had a conversation about this psalm the other day and so I just shared the link with them. Grateful you shared it!

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  3. I've read Psalm 1 several times over the last few weeks. We need to be encouraged and in Scripture during trying days so as to guard our hearts and minds. Much wisdom and practicality in this post for which I am grateful.
    http://www.joanneviola.com/2020/03/will-life-return-to-normal/

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  4. In addition to reading the Word which is most important, listening to worship music that mirrors the message of the Word keeps me in his presence throughout the day. Listening to Travis Cottrell sing In Christ Alone or Charity Gayle sing New Name Written Down In Glory usher me right into the presence of God every single time. http://yvonnechase.com/daily-bread/

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  5. It's so important to feed our minds with God's truth, not just in one set quiet time, but all through the day.

    I wrote this week about avoiding spiritual autopilot: https://barbaraleeharper.com/2020/03/23/how-to-avoid-spiritual-automatic-pilot/.

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    1. I read your post earlier, Barbara, and it was so encouraging.

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  6. Thank you so much for the wonderful tips. You wrote: Instead of scrolling social media, read the bible. That is a good lesson. I am constantly follow the news about corona. Let's be women who meditate day and night, also in time of sickness and dead around us.

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  7. Jennifer, I don't know a better time in history for us to be meditating on Scripture! All this sitting around and waiting for the virus to drop is an anxiety-booster, and my anxiety doesn't need any boosting!!! Thank you for these reminders!

    We have a link-up going on this post through Friday. 9am and there's also a GIVEAWAY on the post!!!
    https://www.instaencouragements.com/blog/a-small-book-for-the-hurting-heart

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