What comes to your mind the moment you wake up in the morning?
My friend once told me that the very first thing that comes to my mind the moment I open my eyes in the morning holds a very high position in my life. I was laughing back then because I guess it did not make sense. It was stuck at the back of my mind, and I completely brushed it off.
For the last two years, my life had been full of stress and unmanageable circumstances that put me in a very disturbed state of mind. Everyday, I would wake up and the first things that would come to my mind then were work, problems, and other unpleasant memories that kept me from truly enjoying my time and meditation of God’s Word.
During those times that I remembered what my friend told me. It is true that those thoughts that I had the very moment I woke up were the things that I kept holding onto. It grabbed my supposedly joyful moments with the Lord. It was quite disturbing because those were the things that would keep my mind running the entire day. I knew it should not be like that.
That moment, I asked God to heal and restore my troubled soul. I wanted to have a joyful moment in Him as I read and study His word. It was like the Lord whispered to me how I needed not only to read and study His word, but meditate on it. Because I could not manage my thoughts, my mind wandered away so easily even when I was reading the Scripture. I then learned the importance of meditating on God’s word.
I am now in a situation where I am enjoying my moments with the Lord. Those burdensome situations and circumstances are replaced with stillness and calmness of mind. I am no longer trapped and imprisoned with negative thoughts that steal my precious time from fully focusing on what matters most throughout the day.
Here are some practical steps that we can do to meditate on God’s word daily:
Read a particular passage, chapter, or book
When I was younger in the faith, I used to just open my bible and point a verse to read or meditate. But I guess, this is not what it means to be. It is best to read a particular passage like chapters in Psalms or Proverbs then choose the best verse that strikes you at the moment. It could also be a chapter or the entire book.
Keep on repeating and citing the verse(s)
I usually have just one verse the whole day. I am bad at memorizing, so I just chose one or two specific verses from what I read and pondered on it. When I deal with books in the bible, I paraphrase it or say it in my own words so I would not forget. I also take on what I learn from it, then I try to relate it the whole day or from my previous experiences, so I would always be reminded.
Memorize verses (or even chapters or books if you may)
Contrary to the world’s view of meditation where you need to empty your mind, the bible teaches us to fill our minds with the Word of God. It has the answers to all of our earthly questions, comfort for whatever situations we are into, or encouragement whenever we feel hopeless and discouraged. More so, the scriptures would point us to the right direction veering away from temptations and sins. How can we possibly have it wherever we are? I am sure that there are times that we don’t have access to our bibles. Keeping God’s word in our hearts will enable us to draw it out wherever we are, whatever we are going through.
“Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I may not sin against thee.” (Psalm 118:11)
Recently, I bought sticky notes and wrote some verses that I need to memorize each day and each week. I posted it on the mirror of my drawer, so I could often see them and be reminded that I need to memorize them. You can do many ways for you to memorize verses. Do it on your most comfortable and convenient time and way.
Recall and medicate it throughout the day (Psalm 1:2)
The Psalmist not only delight in God’s law, but he meditates it day and night (Psalm 1:2). David also said that “he remembers the days of old; he meditates all his works, and muses on the works of His hands.” (Psalm 143:5)
Find association of verses as you go through the day. Meditation is not only a one-time deal when you have your quiet times, but it runs from the time you wake up until the time that you go to bed. In this way, the Word of God sticks in our hearts and minds.
With knowledge, comes responsibility – apply!
There are people who find it easy to read and memorize the Scriptures but the true test is not citing all the verses that we know, but applying those in our daily lives. Like what James says “be not hearers of the word, but doers” (James 1:22).
It is indeed difficult to embrace the Word of God and let it touch our lives. But the Lord gives us strength to do so. Because He knows that these Words will come alive if we live by them. Experiences gained are God’s way of revealing Himself to us.
I enjoy meditating God’s word these days. That is the only thing where I find peace amidst the chaos. The Word of God brings comfort. I missed this point before. But God has never let us down in times of uncertainties. His Word is always available. More so, He is, if we are willing to seek Him with all our hearts.
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