Meditation simply means flooding your consciousness with the Word of God through pondering, reflecting, and brooding over the scriptures, becoming fully aware of what is being communicated.
What is the purpose of Meditation?
“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.” – Joshua 1:8
The first chapter of the book of Joshua begins with the commissioning of Joshua, who was previously Moses’ assistant, into leadership over Israel as they move into the promised land. Joshua has a lot of fear and anxiety to deal with, and we see how God repeatedly tells him not to be afraid. Just like Joshua, we often have internal conflicts when God gives us an assignment because our human experience does not align with our divine purpose. Our hearts have been molded to align with human reasoning and emotions such as fear, insecurity, pride, low self-esteem, disappointment, among others. This makes it difficult to receive and obey God’s instructions. Like the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, we can receive good seed (God’s instructions for us) but if we have thorns and rocks and birds of prey around our soil (heart), the Word will not be effective in us, even if it is from God. The assignment may be true, but if your heart is wired wrong, you cannot succeed.
God doesn’t just assure Joshua of His presence with him, He also gives Joshua a formula for success in this assignment; a way to overcome his internal conflicts so that he can fulfill his purpose. God tells Joshua to meditate day and night on the book of the law, to observe to do, in order to succeed.
This is not just a word for Joshua. The word of God is consistent in showing the connection between meditation and success.
Psalm 1:1-3 reveals that the person who meditates is “like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.” Paul also admonished Timothy on the importance of meditation.
“Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” – 1 Timothy 4:15
The fact that you are chosen by God is not a guarantee for success. You have a role to play, to subdue every internal conflict from past human experiences, and to have a heart posture that makes it possible to do what God has instructed you to. Meditation forms the foundation of your participatory role in the level of success you accomplish. Through meditation, you will be able to fulfil purpose, walk in purity, and express God’s power.
How to Meditate
- Set a specific time. It has to be intentional, not just a spontaneous reaction to how you feel.
- Find the right passage. If meditation is going to be effective, the Holy Spirit will lead you to scriptures that are relevant to your season and your assignment.
- Ponder. Let your mind focus on the scripture without distractions. Say/sing it repeatedly. Pray it.
- Write down your reflections. Through journaling, you ensure that you can build on what you have meditated on, and it serves as a reference point in your prayer life.
- Memorise. This is not a mandatory aspect of meditation, but for some people, it is a helpful tool to enable them maintain consciousness of the scriptures.
It takes deliberate effort and discipline to fulfill purpose. As you meditate on God’s Word, every mindset and grace you need will be formed in you by the ministry of the Holy Spirit to begin, sustain, and accomplish the purpose for which you have been chosen.
Written by : Elorm Mensa
