Meditate on God's Word

Scripture: “This Book of Instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.” — Joshua 1:8

Reflection:Christian meditation is not emptying our minds—it is filling our minds with God’s Word and then thinking deeply about what it says. It may sound gross but compare this to how a cow chews its cud: slowly, thoughtfully, and repeatedly to get all the nutritional value. One helpful way to meditate on Scripture is a method developed by Rick Warren — the SPACEPETS method. As you read a passage, ask these questions:

• Sin to confess?

• Promise to claim?

• Attitude to change?

• Command to obey?

• Example to follow?

• Prayer to pray?

• Error to avoid?

• Truth to believe?

• Something to praise God for?

  
  

These questions help us do something with what we read—not just hear the Word, but respond to it. Try writing these questions in your Bible or keeping them on a card in your journal. Practice this now by reading James 2:1-12. As you read Scripture each day, slowly work through them and ask the Holy Spirit to use the text to speak to your heart. Meditation is simply refusing to rush past God’s voice in the Word.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to slow down and listen to Your Word. Help me not only read Scripture but also reflect on it, respond to it, and apply it. Use these questions to reveal sin, encourage obedience, shape my attitude, and draw me closer to You. Let Your Word guide my heart and my steps today. Amen.