Meditation. Whoa!! Hold on, you say. Isn’t that where you cross your legs and put your index finger and thumb together, close your eyes, and start to hum?

Well, no. Sadly, since so few meditate as the Bible describes, most associate meditation with some kind of out-of-this-world, unusual experience. If you pray and study, but you don’t meditate, then you are firing on only half the cylinders in your spiritual engine.

In this article, we will bring the meditation component into your spiritual repertoire. When you add that to your prayer and study, you will be more inspired than ever before. Not only that, you will want to pray and study after you spend quality time in meditation.

So What Is It?

Meditation is thinking deeply on a specific topic. You are constantly thinking about or contemplating something. But God expects deep, analytical thought on spiritual subjects from you, even as a young person.

1. What kind of thoughts does God want us to think? Philippians 4:8.

2. Does God intend that we learn by example? 1 Corinthians 10:6, 11.

In the Bible, God gives us examples of the proper way to live, and there are many examples of meditation.

3. Did King David set an example of meditation? Psalm 8:3-9.

David always thought deeply about God and what He was doing on Earth. Notice that David went from thinking about God and how awesome He is to man and God’s purpose for man. King David was in awe of God (verse 9). In meditation, he could see how majestic and awesome God is.

4. Is there any particular subject that King David was especially mindful of in meditation? Psalm 119:97-99.

5. Where did King David get the understanding that the law deserves a great deal of meditation? Deuteronomy 6:4-7.

Notice the admonition that God gave to the people of Israel through Moses just before he rehearsed God’s laws with them. The law needed to be constantly in their thoughts.

6. What are some of the benefits of meditating on and keeping the law? Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-2.

Make your awareness of God’s law an active part of your daily meditation. When you come home in the evenings, take time before prayer to think about your day. Did you act in every situation so as not to break God’s commandments? How can you better please God and enjoy the blessings of obedience? Perhaps even write down your mistakes and talk to God about them. When you find that you have broken His law, repent during your prayers and ask God for help to do the right—to change and apply His law. Do this, never forgetting that you are talking to your loving Dad. He will give you all the help you need if you really want help. Show Him that you earnestly desire to make the changes necessary to be blessed.

7. What did God, our Creator, call King David? Acts 13:22.

Could King David have been a man after God’s own heart if he didn’t imitate and really know God as he knew his own physical father? Obviously, he had spent a great deal of time with God. He walked and talked with, and thought about, his spiritual Dad. David wanted to please Him by obeying Him. What an example! Wouldn’t you want that to be said about you by God?

A prayer and study routine alone will not really stimulate your growth without God and His ways being frequently on your mind.

As we are bombarded with the thoughts and influences of Satan all around us, we have to combat all that negativity. If God’s laws and the examples He gives are continually at the forefront of our minds, that can replace those evil thoughts.

Meditating on God’s Word helps rid our minds of Satan’s influence. At the same time, we are observing God, our Father, as well as Jesus Christ, our Savior and soon-coming King—learning who they are, how they handle things, and how they treat others. Not only that, but we see that He does just what fathers do: He gives correction. God will let us learn lessons the hard way, if necessary, yet will also protect us and intervene in our lives if we are seeking Him. Meditation, then, is spending time with God—getting to know Him.

As we think more and more about God—as lawgiver, designer, organizer and lifegiver—we take a glimpse into His mind and character by seeing how He does things. It’s like a son or daughter observing his or her dad. They see his form of government, organization and type of leadership. They watch how he deals with situations and people, and they learn to do these things—to imitate and become like their father.

8. Was the law the only thing David thought about? Psalm 139:17-18.

David thought about what God has made, what God is doing in this universe, and His purpose for mankind frequently. Surely David also thought about the awesome promise God had given him. Take a moment and read that promise in 2 Samuel 7:12-17 and 23:1, 5. (If you want the full story behind the promise God made to King David—which will affect every person who has ever and will ever live—be sure to contact us for free copies of The United States and Britain in Prophecy and The Key of David booklets. You will be amazed as you follow in your Bible and see what God has been doing throughout the ages.)

What Else?

Besides God and His laws, what else should we meditate on?

1. World events. Matthew 26:41; Luke 21:36.

Are you watching what is going on in the world? Are you aware of the events that Jesus Christ prophesied would occur just before His return? Carefully read Matthew 24. Look at what God said would happen in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-7). Are these things occurring today?

If you meditate on what is happening now in light of Christ’s prophecies, world events will take on new meaning in your life.

2. World history.

It is inspiring to meditate on the lives of great men and women. However, there has never been a time when man could get along with man (James 4:1-3), and nothing has been more constant throughout history than war. Think about the contrast between this and the prophesied time of peace, when God will take over world rule (Micah 4:1-4).

3. Your blessings.

Notice again 2 Timothy 3:2. God says many in the end time would be unthankful. It is easy to overlook blessings that come from God. Therefore, take some extra time to think deeply about all the blessings you have!

4. Creation. Psalm 143:5.

Have you stopped to consider this immense universe as David did? How about just the physical creation here on Earth? Consider the human mind and the various systems and organs that make up your tremendously complex body. David gave serious thought to the wonder of his body (Psalm 139:14).

5. What you study. 1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16.

As you study, realize that a lot of lessons can easily be overlooked. Ask God to help you see and understand. Slow down and ask yourself questions. Think about the context of the passage you are studying. What is the historical significance? Why did the person do this or that? Was it right or wrong? Really stop and analyze.

Meditation is obviously not sitting in an awkward position with hands held in a certain way, humming, and emptying your mind. Meditation is taking time to think. It is focusing on the detail and the not-so-readily apparent. Don’t delay. Use meditation for your spiritual development, and watch God add blessings to your life!