By I was reading and come across this quote on “meditation”. Meditation is a neglected virtue partly because it is not properly understood. In his book Knowing God, J.I. Packer clarifies what true Biblical meditation is.
“Meditation is the activity of calling to mind, and thinking over, and dwelling on, and applying to oneself, the various things that one knows about the works and ways and purposes and promises of God. It is an activity of holy thought, consciously performed in the presence of God, under the eye of God, by the help of God, as a means of communion with God.”
He explains the purpose of meditation as follows:
“Its purpose is to clear one’s mental and spiritual vision of God, and to let his truth make its full and proper impact on one’s mind and heart. It is a matter of talking to oneself about God and oneself; it is, indeed, often a matter of arguing with oneself, reasoning oneself out of moods of doubt and unbelief into a clear apprehension of God’s power and grace.”
Christian meditation is therefore not an ’emptying of the mind’ or something strange, mystical and sensational. Rather, it is an intentional use of the Truth revealed in the Holy Scriptures to correct one’s own thinking on all matters.
The fruit of meditation is a wonderful motivation to practice “intentional self-correction using Truth”.
Joshua 1:8-9
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
One of the greatest examples of the practice and purpose of meditation is found in Psalm 77. Go read it, and meditate on it so you too will be strong and courageous in this world.