Why Should We Meditate on God’s Word?

As you know, the Bible is God’s Word and provides for us His wisdom, insight, and guidance for our lives. While reading the Bible is an essential part of our spiritual growth (along with prayer and worship), meditating on God’s Word takes our understanding to a much deeper level. Today, we will explore the advantages of meditating on God’s Word as compared to just reading it, and highlight the benefits of this spiritual discipline.

Advantages of Meditating on God’s Word

Meditating on God’s Word involves taking time to reflect, ponder, and internalize what we read in the Bible. It’s like Bible study on steroids, with no time limit. You can take as long as you want to squeeze everything out of a particular passage or truth, without feeling guilty or pressure to continue. It is not like reading, which is intellectual in nature. No, meditation is contemplative and affects the deeper part of you, the spiritual part.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for meditate, as found in Joshua 1:8, is hāg̱āh which means “to groan, growl, muse, ponder, or to reflect deeply on something.” And in the New Testament, the Greek word for meditate, taken from Philippians 4:8, is logízomai and means “to ponder, to reflect, to reason, to impute, calculate, or reckon,” which is far more involved than simply reading.

Remember, God commands us to internalize His Word by meditating on it and not by just casually reading it (Jos. 1:8). So there must be something to it. Meditating on Scripture offers us several benefits that go beyond reading alone. Let’s look at just a few.

We Gain a Deeper Understanding of God’s Word and Ourselves

First and obviously, meditation helps us to gain a deeper understanding of God’s Word. It enables us to contemplate the meaning of the text and how it applies to our lives. This, in turn, helps us to grow in wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual maturity. When we read the Bible, we are primarily focused on gathering information and knowledge. We may learn about the history of God’s people, the teachings of Jesus, and the promises of God. However, when we meditate on these same truths, we move beyond gathering information and seek to understand the meaning of the text and how it applies to our lives. We are seeking something more than history or doctrine. We are seeking transformation.

Meditation involves reflecting on the words of Scripture, even the small ones, and considering their context and significance as we seek to understand their deeper meaning. As we meditate on God’s Word, we gain insight into the character and personality of God, His plan for our lives, and His will for the future. We come to understand the significance of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection and how it impacts our lives more than we ever could by just reading. It’s like we no longer “see in a mirror dimly,” but finally “face to face” (1 Cor. 13:12). And nothing can help you experience His Word quicker than meditation.

Meditation also allows us to explore the amazing nuances of Scripture. It helps us understand how different passages relate to each other and how they all fit into the broader narrative of the Bible. For example, we may read a passage about forgiveness and understand the concept on an intellectual level. Maybe we have experienced forgiveness in our own lives. However, through meditation, we can come to understand the depth of God’s forgiveness, what it truly costs Him, and how it applies to our lives in a practical way previously unknown to us. We can almost feel the pain and joy forgiveness brings. Biblical meditation opens up the floodgates of intimacy with God in ways difficult to describe. You’ll simply have to experience it yourself.

Through meditation, we also gain a deeper insight into ourselves, our hidden sins, our unforgiveness, and our deception. As we reflect on God’s Word, we see ourselves in light of His truth and come to understand our strengths, weaknesses, and areas of growth. We may be challenged to confront our sin and seek forgiveness or to cultivate a particular virtue or character trait. Our lives are open before Him, exposed to His truth in ways that demand a change in us. And change is good, especially if it brings us closer to being like our Lord.

We Have a Deeper Desire and Ability to Memorize Scripture

The second advantage of meditating on God’s Word is that it helps us to memorize scripture. As we meditate on the text, we repeat it to ourselves and ponder its meaning, allowing it to take root in our hearts and minds. This, in turn, makes it easier to recall in times of need.

Memorizing scripture is essential for spiritual growth and is particularly helpful when facing challenges or temptations (Ps. 119:11). In times of stress or uncertainty, we may feel overwhelmed and unsure of what to do. However, if we have stored God’s Word in our hearts and minds, we can draw on it for guidance and comfort.

For example, if we are facing a difficult financial decision, especially during these troubling times, we can recall from memory the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This verse reminds us to seek God’s will above all else and trust that He will provide for our needs, no matter how big or insurmountable they may seem. Remember, in context, when Jesus said that “all these things shall be added to you,” He is talking about everything we worry about, food, clothing, housing, how we are going to live, etc., and He gives us clear instructions on how to trust Him for everything. If you meditate on this truth, it will change the way you view the future. But don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself.

Similarly, if we are struggling with fear or anxiety about an uncertain future, we can recall from memory, 24/7, the familiar words of Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; (why) for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” This verse reminds us that God is with us even in the darkest times and always offers comfort and strength to His children. And this truth alone should put a smile on our face.

Furthermore, memorizing Scripture helps us to internalize God’s Word and apply it to our lives. As we store it in our hearts and minds, it becomes a part of who we are, shaping our thoughts, attitudes, and behavior. We become more like Christ, we have our mind renewed by His Word (Rom. 12:2), and we find ourselves thinking like Jesus (1 Cor. 2:16). This, in turn, leads to spiritual growth and transformation. And even if we are unaware of it, transformation is what we are looking for the most.

Meditation Leads to Transformation

Finally, meditation on God’s Word leads to transformation. As we meditate on God’s Word, we allow it to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and behavior. This leads to spiritual growth and a closer relationship with God. Through meditation, we become more like Christ, reflecting His character in our lives.

How is that done, specifically?

When we meditate on God’s Word, we are intentionally focusing on its meaning, significance, and implication for our lives. This practice of meditation leads to transformation in several ways.

First, biblical meditation allows us to understand God’s will for our lives. As we reflect on the words of Scripture, we gain insight into God’s character, His plan for salvation, and how we should live as His followers. We are challenged to confront our sin and seek forgiveness, to cultivate virtues such as love, kindness, and compassion, and to prioritize our relationship with God above all else. This understanding of God’s will leads to transformation as we align our lives with His truth and seek to follow His guidance.

Second, Biblical meditation allows us to internalize God’s Word. As we meditate on Scripture, we store it in our hearts and minds, making it a part of who we are. This internalization of God’s Word shapes our thoughts, attitudes, and behavior, leading to spiritual growth and transformation. We begin to see the world through the lens of God’s truth, and we are better equipped to make decisions and respond to challenges in a way that pleases Him.

Third, Biblical meditation leads to a closer relationship with God. Always. It’s a given. As we meditate on God’s Word, we draw closer to Him and experience His presence and guidance in a deeper way than we may have ever done before. Our hearts become aligned with His will, and we begin to reflect His character in our lives. We become more like Christ, growing in humility, love, and compassion, and reflecting His grace and truth to those around us.

This is why it is called a transformation, for that is exactly what it is. We become less. He becomes more. And the whole world will see the change we have allowed Christ, through His Word, to make in us.

Summary

Meditating on God’s Word is a powerful, time-honored spiritual practice that offers amazing benefits for our growth and spiritual transformation as followers of Christ. But it takes time. This is not a sprint, but a marathon. By taking time to reflect on the words of scripture, we deepen our understanding of God’s Word, naturally memorize key verses, and allow God’s Word to transform us from the inside out. Through meditation, we draw closer to God, experience greater peace and joy, and are better equipped to resist temptation. While reading the Bible is an essential part of our spiritual growth, meditating on it takes us deeper, transforming our hearts and minds and bringing us into a closer relationship with God.

And isn’t that what we are all striving for? To be more like Christ? So again, don’t take my word for it. Try it yourself. And to help you do just that, next time I will give you some practical steps to help you meditate on His Word and reap the amazing benefits that come with it.

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What Does it Mean to Live by Faith?

As we strive to become more of a faith prepper, we know the most important thing we can do is learn to live by faith, and not just give faith lip service.  After all, the single verse that changed Martin Luther’s life and led to the Reformation was Romans 1:17, which states, “The just shall live by faith.”  We focus on the “just’ and “faith” aspect of this passage.  But what about “live”?  How do we “live by faith”?

The answer is simple.  To live by faith, we have to trust our Lord in everything, in every aspect of our life, and not just in the areas we can’t seem to take care of ourselves.  God is not our co-pilot or a genie in a bottle.  We have to accept and live as if we truly believe what the Lord says about His Word and our relationship with Him.  And when we begin to understand that relationship, from a Biblical perspective, we may find ourselves surprised at how much we have missed the mark and fallen for something our pride demands and not what the Word reveals.

Let me give you one example (we’ll look at more in the days to come).

Crucified with Christ

One of the hallmark truths of the Higher Christian Life is found in Galatians 2:20. This powerful verse says:

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

I know you are probably familiar with this passage and may have memorized it at Vacation Bible School many years ago.  But often familiarity breeds contempt.  And many times we fail to understand a passage because we already think we know what it says and have become comfortable with our own interpretation.  This verse is no exception.  But what does it actually say?  And what does it mean?

Clearly, Galatians 2:20 states we have been (past tense) “crucified with Christ” and have experienced, at least spiritually, the death of our flesh.  He died and, therefore, we died with Him.  And He rose again and, therefore, we are “born again” (John 3:3).  This is not a new truth.  In fact, we affirm this every time we baptize someone.  Remember what is spoken?  They talk about being dead and buried with Christ (as the person is submerged into the water), and then raised to a newness of life in Him (as they are brought back up).  The imagery is of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ that is now applied to us as we are “born again” in His image.  Do you see Galatians 2:20 portrayed in this?

But it goes on and addresses the practical side of salvation.  Since we have been “crucified with Christ” we now no longer have a life of our own, but it belongs to Christ who now lives in us.  Read it carefully.  Slowly.  And let each word speak truth about our dependent relationship with Him.

“I have been crucified with Christ; (therefore) it is no longer I who live, (so who now lives in my place?) but Christ lives in me.”

Or, as Colossians 3:3 says so emphatically, “For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”  This is the perfect description of what it means to be “in Christ,” which is a phrase used in the New Testament over 85 times, so it must be an important concept for us to understand.

Christ Lives in Me

So I have died with Him, or I am now identified with His death.  This is a vital concept to grasp in understanding the breadth of our salvation.  And since I have died, like He died, the living part of me does not live for its own glory or purpose or benefit.  No, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”  The breath I take, the thoughts I think, the decisions I make, the essence of who I am in my own eyes has now died in order for a greater good to redeem and take control of what I once was.

It is called the Great Exchange.  I give all that I am (broken, sinful, plagued by pride and selfishness, and unable to stand in the presence of a holy God because of my iniquity, unrighteousness, and lack of holiness), and I receive by grace, as an underserved gift, all that Christ is (holy, blameless, perfect, complete, and righteous).  And now, because of this exchange and His death on the cross, which paid the penalty for my sins, I no longer fear God, but have bold access to His throne (Heb. 4:16), where I find grace, mercy, love, and forgiveness, and where God no longer holds my sins against me because when He sees me, He no longer sees my unrighteousness, but the imputed righteousness of His Son given to me (2 Cor. 5:21).  When God sees me, He sees His Son.

Does it get any better than this?  I think not.

But the conditions of this Great Exchange are determined by God and they are, like most things with Him, all or nothing.  God does not promise to make us better.  He promises to put us to death and then raise us up in the image of His Son.  Let that sink in for a moment.  There is nothing in our life God wants to upload into the new creation He makes in us (2 Cor. 5:17).  Nothing.  He starts with a clean slate, a fresh beginning.  Therefore, our flesh, and all that word entails, must be put to death in order for Christ to live His life in us.  Light and darkness cannot co-exist.  Why?  Because darkness hates the light, for light exposes its evil deeds (John 3:19-21).

The more we die to ourselves, the more He lives in us.  And the more we hold on to what we want or what our flesh craves, the more we grieve the spirit (Eph. 4:30) and live a life of spiritual defeat, shame, and lukewarmness (Rev. 3:16).  And there is no victory in living a life of compromise, of hedging our bet, of having a Plan B, or a lack of commitment.  Heroes are not made by compromise, but by total abandonment to something greater than themselves.  And for us, that something is Christ.

Where the Rubber Meets the Road

So how does this play out in real life?  Just like it plays out in every aspect of life, by faith and commitment.  Or, as Yoda said, “You do, or you don’t do, there is no try.”  Victory is all or nothing.  In or out.  Hot or cold, with nothing in between.  That is the only way to experience victory in our spiritual life.

Let’s close by looking at the practical side of Galatians 2:20.

“and the life which I now live in the flesh (after I have been crucified with Christ and He now lives in me) I live (how) by faith in (what) the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

There is really not much more to add to what this truth already says.  The life we live now, today, in the flesh, we live by faith (trust, confidence, assurance) in Christ, the Son of God.  Not faith in our ability to will ourselves, by sheer determination, to do good things.  Not faith in the innate goodness in our hearts, no matter what Disney might say (Jer. 17:9).  And not faith that God will judge on a sliding scale and measure our good stuff against our bad stuff and be pleased that His child scored a C- on our final report card.  As if He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us barely pass.

No.  It is faith in Christ Jesus, the Son of God.  It is faith in His promises that all (that’s you and me) who the Father gives Him will come to Him (John 6:37), and that no one can snatch us out of His hand (John 10:28-29).  It’s faith in the character of God.  That He is longsuffering, loving, patient and kind, and not willing for any to perish, but all to come to repentance and eternal life (2 Pet. 3:9).  And faith in His Word, that it means what it says and our life should line up to its truth, and not what we conceive in our minds or what we want it to say.

And this faith cannot be in words only or simply mental assent to this truth.  Faith must be acted upon.  It must be exercised and lived out in real-time.  And it has to be tested to grow strong.  But God has not left us alone, as orphans, to live this life of faith (John 14:18).  No, He has given us Himself, in the person of the Holy Spirit, to live the life of Christ in us.  And we will explore the Spirit’s role in our life of faith next.  So stay tuned.

Remember, “the just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:17).   And so can you.

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What Does it Mean to Surrender to Him?

To totally surrender to the Lord means to surrender your entire self, including your thoughts, desires, and actions, to God by recognizing and acknowledging His sovereignty and trusting in His plan for your life.  It involves letting go of control and submitting to God’s will, as well as striving to daily live in obedience to His teachings and commands.  And make no mistake, it is a very hard thing to do and can only be done by faith.

After all, it takes faith to truly surrender to God and accept that He knows what’s best for you and has your best interests at heart.  Therefore, surrendering means you must let go of all doubts, anxieties, and fears in order to trust Him fully.  And that, for many, is a difficult thing to do.  It requires you to put aside your ego and pride (which is difficult), and to trust in God that you cannot see or fully understand (which is even more difficult).

That is why total surrender is an act of faith.  It requires humility and understanding that God is sovereign— He creates, sustains, and ultimately controls all things, even you. This means that no matter how bad things seem, you know God will not abandon you during your trials (Heb. 13:5), and He will always be with you, no matter what (Matt. 28:20).  All you have to do is cry out for His help and strength, and He will give you the courage, hope, and grace you need, even in your darkest hour (Heb. 4:16).

In Scripture, Jesus often speaks about the need for complete surrender to His will.  When He says “Abide in me,” (John 15:4), Jesus is showing how you need to stay close to Him, connected to Him, by trusting His plan for your life as if you had no control over any of it whatsoever.  You are called not only to accept, but also embrace and delight in Him as your Lord and Savior; otherwise, nothing else matters, not even your own desires or ambitions.

Totally surrendering means tuning out the world’s voice (and your voice) and instead choosing to listen intently only to what God whispers within you— then choosing, often minute by minute, to live in obedience according to His commands.  His voice may call you toward what seems like darkness or difficulties, but it will eventually lead you towards everlasting light.  The journey itself might feel difficult at times, but when you rely on Him completely, knowing everything will turn out for your good in the end no matter how hard it gets along the way (Rom. 8:28)— that is true faith, inspired by the courage of Christ Himself, which proves invaluable when facing hardships like He did.

To surrender your life and will is to turn away from the world and its temptations, and instead focus on living a life full of faith in Jesus Christ.  It involves trusting that God has a plan for you that may not be immediately clear, but is ultimately for your best.

When you are willing to fully surrender your life and will to Him, you must come before God with an open heart and mind.  You must acknowledge that He knows more than you do; that His wisdom is greater than yours; and that His commands are above all else. This requires humility and a deep understanding of how much God loves you, even when His commands seem difficult or counter-intuitive.  You must also take time to quiet yourself before Him so that you can recognize the Holy Spirit’s promptings within you, which will guide you toward living out His will in the most meaningful way imaginable (Eph. 3:20-21).

How Can I Surrender My Life to Him?

Surrendering your life to Jesus means making Him the priority in all areas of your life.  This may seem daunting, but there are many practical ways you can cultivate this priority in your day-to-day routine.

First, establish a regular prayer and devotional time that is specifically set aside for speaking with God, studying His Word, and reflecting on His promises.  As you commit to spending intentional time in the presence of the Lord each day, you will grow more aware of how He wants you to live out your faith in every area of your life.  And you will learn to hear His voice.

Second, seek counsel from others who are further along the journey of surrender than you are. When you’re struggling with something and feel overwhelmed by your circumstances, it’s helpful to talk to someone who has already gone through what you’re experiencing.  Consider connecting with mentors for advice or join a Bible study group. This will provide an additional source of strength as you learn from those who have been down similar roads before you.  After all, there are no bragging rights for making the same mistake someone else did.  So learn from the victories and mistakes of others.

Third, put into practice what Jesus has taught you— even when it’s difficult or uncomfortable to do so. While it may be convenient to ignore some inconvenient truths laid out in Scripture, true surrender requires you to take up your cross daily and live according to His commands (Luke 9:23).  You must also be willing to practice love towards others even when they hurt you— as Jesus did when He was crucified for you on the cross— and serve selflessly with no expectation of reward or recognition here on earth (Matt. 5:44).

Fourth, you need to evaluate the content of your entertainment.  We all have down time where we relax and watch TV or scroll through our phones, but it’s important to make sure you’re not allowing the media to shape your mind in ways contrary to God’s will.  Instead, use that time to read books or listen to messages that challenge your faith and spur you on in living a life wholly surrendered to Jesus (Heb. 10:24).

Fifth, choose people who are also pursuing surrendering their lives to Jesus as companions and mentors.  Having a supportive group of like-minded individuals around you can help you stay focused on what truly matters— living a life devoted entirely to your Lord (Rom. 12:1-2).

Sixth, engage in consistent ministry and spiritual activities, such as serving those who are less fortunate than you and getting involved in local church initiatives.  As you put others first, just as Jesus did, you get a glimpse of how He wants you to live out your faith each day.  And this shows you that when you put Him first, He will take care of everything else (Matt. 6:33).

Seventh, be honest with God and practice personal confession.  You can’t expect to be surrendered to Jesus when you’re not willing to take responsibility for your shortcomings. When you confess your sins and admit the times you have fallen short, it allows you to forgive yourself and receive forgiveness and healing from God (1 John 1:9).

Finally, give thanks in all things.  When you make Jesus your priority, it becomes easier to recognize the blessings He has given you even in difficult times. This awareness helps you stay grounded in gratitude, which leads you closer in relationship with Him every day (Col. 4:2).

A life committed wholly to Jesus requires commitment because true discipleship follows none other than Him completely.  Ultimately, when you choose to surrender to God by turning away from distractions and submitting your entire life into Christ’s care, you are naturally reminded daily that Jesus is worth more than anything else you could ever desire or achieve.  And as long as you keep Him at the center of all things, nothing will stand in your way when striving for complete surrender.

So why don’t you surrender your life to Him now?

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The Higher Christian Life
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