Psalm 119:97-99

I am sure you have had to study for a test or two. While you studied you did everything you could to learn (or memorize) the material so you could repeat it on the test well enough to make the desired grade.

Or maybe you had to learn the lines for a play. You studied and studied, you rehearsed and rehearsed so you could perform the play well.

This is like meditating. I am not talking about sitting in still position with your legs in a knot and chanting silly phrases. I am talking about going over something over and over and over. The word meditate in the scripture for today means ‘to ponder’ or ‘to contemplate.’ As a Christian it is important that you spend time meditating or pondering what scripture says.

By meditating you go over and over and over scripture well enough so when you face the tests life brings you will ‘pass.’ So that when you are faced with temptation and struggle you will ‘perform’ well.

How do you meditate on scripture? Here are some keys:

Write it down. Put it in your own words.

• Read it in a different translation of the Bible.

• Break the verse down phrase by phrase. What is being said in each phrase?

• Memorize the verse.

• Apply it to your life. How does this verse apply to me?

Pondering what scripture says will allow the Holy Spirit to show you how the verse can help in your everyday life.

While you are meditating on the scripture above ask God to show you how it applies to you. Each time you spend in God’s word look for verses to be meditating on.

written by Lee Floyd Baptist Student Ministry Director @ Angelo State University