Thomas Hooker said, “Meditation is a serious intention of the Mind whereby we come to search out the truth and settle it on the heart.”[1] Thomas Watson said, “Meditation is the soul’s retiring of itself, that by a serious and solemn thinking upon God, the heart may be raised up to heavenly affections.”[2]

A few years ago, I read a book called “Deep Work” by Cal Newport. It was written for those in the business world, writers, artists, and, as I later learned, preachers. The book advocates setting aside daily time for focused, deep thinking and working on the task at hand. Newport argues that in today’s world, we are too distracted by the internet, media, social media, and other sources to be truly productive, and that we need dedicated time alone to concentrate and increase our effectiveness. I started to think about how to apply these ideas within the context of the Church. How do I, as a pastor back then and now as a corporate chaplain, find time for the deep work of ministry and study? As I pondered this, I was reminded of the art of Christian meditation—a lost art that many of our ancestors not only encouraged but regarded as essential to daily piety. I know that when I say ‘meditation,’ many people automatically think of someone sitting cross-legged, reciting a mantra with eyes closed, palms up, trying to clear their minds and bodies of stress. Or they imagine monks and mystics of earlier times seeking some “higher Place” through periods of silence, Gregorian chants, and an austere lifestyle. Neither of these, as we will see, truly describes Christian meditation. While Eastern meditation and mysticism aim to empty ourselves of something, Christian meditation strives to fill our lives with a deeper, richer faith.

I want us to see that we can deepen our faith by learning the art of Christian meditation by addressing two questions: What is Biblical Meditation? Why should Christians practice the Art of Meditation?

Consider Joshua 1:8. This familiar verse will give us our starting place as we begin our look at Christian meditation.

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.

This passage shows that the Lord gave Joshua two imperatives, a reason for the imperatives, and then a promise if he fulfills the imperatives. Before we get started, a little background might be useful. Moses had led the people to the edge of the Jordan but was not allowed to enter Canaan because of his rash sin in striking the rock. Joshua was chosen as his successor and was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. The Lord begins this book by speaking to Joshua and giving him instructions on how to lead the people into the Promised Land. Three times in Chapter 1, Joshua is told “be strong and courageous,” because God is with him.

Read More