Christian Meditation

Joshua 1:6-9 (New International Version)

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Meditation on God's word yields the highest wisdom.  On Psalm 119 there are several verses where the writer meditates on God's decrees, precepts and wonders. 
Psalm 119:97-100 (New International Version)
97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.

Christian meditation is one of the better ways to receive insight of what God is trying to say in His word, making His followers wiser than their enemies.  Meditation simply means focused thinking.  I always say if we know how to worry we know how to meditate.  But, the meditation needs to concentrate on His word, not the worries and cares of this world.  I know when I spend time in His word I come out centered, understanding life more clearly.  I feel a sense of peace and security that I lose as soon as I wonder off from Him.  The pull from the world is very strong;  God's voice is soft.  I have to choose to be there listening to it, filling my heart with it. 

Meditation is as ancient as cultures.  Christian meditation is different from eastern meditation because Christian meditation focuses on God and His teachings; not on mantras.   There is a part of us that receives better when we are in solitude, quiet, relaxed.  Our spirit is uncluttered of the many competitors it has all day long.  My peaceful mind is able to concentrate and internalize His precepts and decrees.

There are so many things to meditate about from the bible.  We can meditate on His unfailing love:
Psalm 48:9 (New International Version)
9 Within your temple, O God,
we meditate on your unfailing love.

Or on His works,
Psalm 143:5 (New International Version)
5 I remember the days of long ago;
I meditate on all your works
and consider what your hands have done.

Or as mentioned above, on His decrees and precepts, on His word and His love for us. 

There are many physical benefits from Christian meditation as well: it calms the racing mind, especially when there are compulsive thoughts taking over.  It may help reduce blood pressure, and it calms anxiety by reducing cortisol and adrenaline release. 

Proverbs 23:7 "For as he thinks within himself,  so he is."  We are what we think, self-talk is the most important conversation we have all day.  I want to make those inner-talks about God and His love for me by meditating on His word.