Personal Meditation

A very good way to start personal meditation is by using Scripture as a springboard. God has declared through His servant Paul that “all Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 16) That’s pretty comprehensive.

If you want to sharpen your mind, wrestle with Paul over a point of doctrine. If you want to increase your faith, meditate on the great scenes of the Old Testament. If you want to prepare for the future (and stretch your mental powers), watch the tremendous prophecies of Daniel and John the Revelator. No movie can compare!

If you want to learn how to meditate and how to deal with the tempest of feelings that tosses you about, go and sit at the feet of King David, a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) who was, believe me, just like you and me! Some people wonder why the Psalms are in the Bible. They are there because David, who wrote many of them, was the resident meditation expert of the Scriptures. He told God what he really felt in all kinds of situations, even when his rage and desire for revenge was outright wrong. And God has kept that record alive for us, in part to show us that we can tell Him anything at all and that He can help us to deal with it in a way that becomes positive and healing. You don’t have to know much about the Psalms; just page through them until you find one to match your mood. Read it and study how David meditated, how he expressed his woes or his joys, and how God answered him. Notice that his complaints all begin and/or end in praise, always.

Then follow David’s example. Talk to God yourself and hear Him comforting you or sharing your happiness. If you’re angry, tell God about it, just as David did, and let God take your anger and show you how to constructively deal with whatever the real problem is.

There are many other passages which are wonderful springboards to personal meditation. Isaiah is tremendous, especially anything after Isaiah 40. Did you think those prophets spoke only for Israel? Try substituting your name whenever it says “Jerusalem,” “Judah,” or Zion,” and see if that changes your mind.

Our God stands ready to speak to us and guide us. If you’d like to hear Jesus Himself speak on the subject, walk with Him on the way to Gethsemane and listen to Him saying John 14-16. All we have to do is take His hand, trust Him, and quiet our spirits to hear His still, small voice. He is knocking, and waiting.