Rocking the Selah: Practical Reasons for Meditation (Part 1)

Meditation of St. Jerome / public domain

This is Part 1 of a 2 Part Article on Meditation.

"Think happy thoughts in Spanish," a friend would admonish me, from time to time. Since I didn't know much Spanish, this would have proven problematical. And I'm not sure if I would be happy just making the attempt, so... But thinking happy thoughts (in English or at least using pictures) I can definitely do! 

So: day 2 of a new journey. I've tried meditation before, but I'd like to think that my journey through graduate school is helping me to be more informed, less negatively biased. Update: I originally published this article March, 2016. I'm updating and polishing it to reflect a number of powerful, positive things I've learned both about and in meditation!

Meditation is a curious word for Christians and I'm hoping you can approach it without fear. Like many terms, it has become stigmatized, something better left for cultists, mystics, other folks, especially folks who don't know how to pray. But it's a powerful tool whose use is actually "highly suggested" in the Bible. 

What is meditation? Deep contemplative reflection. Listening. My favorite scriptural reminder to meditate is "Selah." Pause, and think on this. Meditation is the discipline of harnessed thought. What you focus on is what you become. The Bible says, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." If you think on the Word of God, the outcome is you become more like God!

Meditation has become part of the work of love to which I am called. It is my key proving ground, the place of discernment, the arena of conflict where God and I sort out the good, the bad, and the ugly in the greatest hope of becoming something beautifully useful: His Peacemaker. It's a work of deep thought, and in that aspect of it, I suspect the reason for so many  (American) Christians turning away from it: it requires you to sit still and think on things. And yet, making full proof one one's ministry is being able to give an answer to those who require it of you:

But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience... [1Pe 3:15-16a NET]

And in the Passion Translation

But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith with gentleness and respect. Maintain a clean conscience... 

[1Pe 3:15-16a TPT]

How can we give reverent honor in our hearts? By making Jesus, the Anointed One, the center of our thoughts. We think on Him over and over again. Why? Because in that way we'll always be ready to explain our faith. And how does one maintain a clean conscience? By doing what he or she believes. And one believes what one not only knows, but has settled their mind and values upon, which can intentionally be done by meditating and searching out to understand these things.

Where should I begin? The Word, of course! Let's start at looking where the Bible mentions meditation. 

1. [Gen 24:63 ]  And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming.
2. [Jos 1:8]  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
3. [Psa 4:4]  Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
4. [Psa 63:6]  When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.
5. [Psa 77:6]  I call to remembrance my song in the night; I meditate within my heart, And my spirit makes diligent search.
6. [Psa 77:12]  I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.
7. [Psa 119:15]  I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways.
8. [Psa 119:27]  Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works.
9. [Psa 119:48]  My hands also I will lift up to Your commandments, Which I love, And I will meditate on Your statutes.
10. [Psa 119:78]  Let the proud be ashamed, For they treated me wrongfully with falsehood; But I will meditate on Your precepts.
11. [Psa 119:148]  My eyes are awake through the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.
12. [Psa 143:5]  I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands.
13. [Psa 145:5]  I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.
14. [Mal 3:16]  Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.
15. [Php 4:8]  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
16. [1Ti 4:15]  Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.

These 16 scriptures mention the positive results of meditation in the NKJV, and in reading through all of these we get a picture of what and who to meditate upon. We even see indications of how we can meditate. So the first practical reason for meditating is that it's mentioned rather significantly in scripture. 

Slowly take the time to read these scriptures again, prayerfully, and consider if this is the right time to look into it. We'll talk a little more about that and some of the numerous practical benefits from meditation which we'll share about in Part 2 of  "Rocking the Selah: Practical Reasons for Meditation."