If I could go back in time and do only one discipline of the heart differently it would be to practice meditating on the Scriptures earlier in my walk with the Lord. Meditation has been a game changer in my spiritual life.

Bible study has always been a big part of my walk with the Lord. I saw it modeled in the lives of mentors. I learned to dive into commentaries and dictionaries to better understand the context and narrative of a particular Bible passage. I experienced the importance of being grounded in the Bible, reading it through to get the big picture and studying in-depth to comprehend it at the granular level. This is something I knew how to do. But meditation? That seemed a little more nebulous. How exactly do you do that?

We are not talking about meditation in the sense of eastern religions or new age practices where we empty our minds and repeat a mantra. Meditating on the word of God is filling your mind with the Scripture, saturating yourself in a small portion of the Bible, savoring every word. It is listening to the Lord and then putting what He says into your life. The end result of Biblical meditation is not more information about God but communion with God through His living word.

Biblical meditation is commanded and commended in the Bible. Psalm 1:2 describes a godly person this way, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in that law he meditates day and night.”
The book of Joshua gives us a clear command to meditate upon the word of God. “Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses, My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on 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 1:7-8. Meditation with a view toward obedience leads to success!

Years ago I learned about a prayer exercise called Lectio Divina, which simply means “divine reading” in Latin. I call it lectio for short. This exercise lays out the simple steps to meditate upon the Scriptures. Following the steps makes meditation something I can do. It focuses my mind on certain questions so I don’t get lost in the nothingness of a mindless meditation. Over the years meditating on God’s word be doing a lectio has had another huge benefit, it has helped me learn some of the ways I hear from the Lord.

Lectio Divina puts a short passage or verse before you to consider. As you mull over the passage, you ask the Lord to focus your mind upon one word or phrase. Then you ask Him to take you deeper into His Word. He will amplify it for you. In the words of John 14:21, Jesus discloses Himself to you. He shows you how to apply this specific word to your life. You will receive an invitation to obey Him. Listening, meditating and responding with obedience are the essential parts of a Lectio Divina.

Lectio Divina is an ancient practice that goes back as far as the early church fathers. Origen who lived in the 3rd century practiced Lectio Divina, as did the Desert Fathers and Augustine in the 4th century. Benedict made it a permanent part of the Benedictine order in the 6th century— where it is still practiced today. John Calvin, the Moravians and the Puritans all used this method of meditation. More recently Deitrich Bonhoeffer employed Lectio Divina (though he didn’t use that name) to train countless seminarians to hear God’s voice. Eric Metaxas tells in Bonhoeffer, Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy how Bonhoeffer said “one must utterly trust God now and must know that hearing him is indeed all that matters.” Bonhoeffer’s dilemma as a seminary professor was, “how could one hear the voice of God much less obey God when prayer and meditating on the Scriptures were not even being taught in German seminaries?” Thus Bonhoeffer daily modeled and required his students to meditate on the Scriptures. He knew that their futures were uncertain (many would be drafted into the German army) and they would need to be able to discern and obey the voice of the Lord.

Lectio Divina is very simple. It can be done with a small group or individually. If you have a small group ask someone to be the facilitator. The instructions are as follows:
First select a verse or short passage you would like to meditate upon. Settle down and remove all distractions. Take a deep breath and turn in your spirit to the Holy Spirit asking Him to lead your meditation.

Read your selected passage the first time. Let the words from God’s word wash over you.

Before you begin to read the passage the second time ask the Lord to give you a word of phrase from the passage. Ask Him to highlight just that one word or phrase for you. Then listen as you read the passage the second time. Wait on the Lord to see if you get a word or phrase. Write it down if you are alone or share it with your small group if you are in a group. If you don’t “get” anything feel free to pass during the response time. You may want to go back to this later.

Before you begin the third reading ask the Lord to amplify your word or phrase for you. Ask Him to show you more. Wait on Him. He may answer by giving you a picture in your mind’s eye, a sense or feeling, a memory or even a song. The Lord’s leading will never contradict or be in conflict with the principles of the word of God. The Lord is taking you deeper and showing you more. Read the passage the third time waiting to see how the Lord will enlarge your word or phrase.

Wait on the Lord. Write down what you “get”, share it if you are in a group.

As you read the passage for the fourth and final time, ask the Lord for an invitation for how He wants you to carry your word into your life this week. Is there something you need to obey? Is there specific guidance to follow? Is there an encouragement for you? Has the Lord put His finger on something you need to deal with in repentance?

Wait and see what the Lord has for you. Write down what you “hear” turning it into a prayer. Or share your invitation if you are in a group. Finish the time by praying your invitation back to the Lord, asking Him to help you take it into your life this week.

I have an offering of several guided lectios where I take you through the Scripture readings with the prompts so that you can simply follow along in meditation. These lectios are accompanied by worship music. I would love for you to try one as you begin to incorporate meditation into your lifestyle as you walk on the ancient paths with the Lord. (LINK HERE)

Dear Heavenly Father,
We want to know you better and follow you more closely. Thank you for the simple steps us to incorporate meditation on the Scriptures into our life-styles. Meet us as we look to you into Your word.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.