“And Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the eventide: and he lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, the camels were coming.” (Genesis 24:63)
Abraham had sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. I’m sure Isaac had been waiting for this servant to return. They’d left it in God’s hands. They trusted God would lead the servant to the person God had chosen for Isaac. It doesn’t take much imagination to wonder what Isaac’s meditation was about. I’m sure he meditated on God’s promises to Abraham and mused how God had come through in all His promises to Abraham. I’m sure he prayed during his meditation.
Meditation is a practice of thinking over in our minds a subject. This has long been a practice of believers from ancient of days. The subject of meditation is the importance. When we’re troubled, we’ll meditate on the trouble, thinking the situation over and over. Although this is meditation, it will only lead to despair because we don’t have the solution. No amount of rethinking the problem will bring a solution. Paul said it clearly, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Meditation goes hand in hand with prayer. Meditation for the believer is to think about the Word of God. The Word of God meets all the criteria of Philippians 4:8 “For the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) Quick and powerful means it’s alive, living and active. Peter also mentions that the Word of God is alive. “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” (1Peter 1:23) When we meditate on the Word of God which is living and active, able to perform what it says, it not only meets the criteria on what to think on, it will produce what God wants.
Meditating on Scripture leads to prayer. Depending on the Scripture, this prayer may be thankfulness as we meditate on God’s Goodness. It may lead us to confession as the Scripture leads us to think on how we have failed to meet God’s standard. It may lead us to supplication as the Scripture leads us to think about those around us and their needs. Or it may lead us to worship as we think about God’s greatness. As we meditate on Scripture, our thinking becomes God led. It will produce fruit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
Meditation on the problem brings despair, depression and sickness. In Psalms 77, we have an example of what happens when we concentrate on the problem. Asaph was a musician and poet in David’s kingdom. He penned this psalm and gave it to Jeduthun. Jeduthun was the worship leader during David’s reign as king. In this psalm we clearly see what happens when we meditate on the problem. “...my sore ran in the night, and ceased not...” The problem becomes monumental. “...my soul refused to be comforted...” (Psalms 77:2) The problem becomes so big in our minds, that nothing can bring us peace. “...I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed.” (Psalms 77:3) Instead of relying on God, we rely on our inability and become even more weak and unable to act correctly. Asaph’s trouble became so great to him, he couldn’t even speak. (Psalms 77:4) But the most tragic is that when we concentrate on the problem, we begin to doubt God. “Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will He be favourable no more? Is His mercy clean gone for ever? doth His promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath He in anger shut up His tender mercies?” (Psalms 77:7-9)
There are different techniques for meditating on the Word. One is as we’re thinking on a Scripture, emphasize and concentrate on one word each time we read or think on the Scripture. The words will give meaning and depth to what it’s saying. Let’s set aside time alone in the quiet of “a field,” or other place that is peaceful and full of God’s creation and meditate on one Scripture. God will meet us there.
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