Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (New Living Translation, NLT)

I reach out for your commands, which I love, that I may meditate on your decrees. Psalm 119:48 (New International Version, NIV)

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. Joshua 1:8 (New International Version, NIV)

When the word meditate is used in the Old Testament, it is not what the world envisions of the word today. It is not chanting a mantra or trying to “get in touch with yourself.” It actually means to mutter, to ponder, to study, to ruminate. In other words, it means to put your mind on something and contemplate it over and over, looking at it from every angle and considering all it is and all it means. And the word meditate is consistently applied to the Word. We are to meditate the Scriptures, which goes beyond basic reading of the Bible. We are to meditate on it, to break it down and digest it so it becomes part of us.

Meditating has been described as similar to a cow chewing its cud. The cow chews on its cud and then it is swallowed and goes through a digestion process that takes it through not just one, but four stomach compartments. Once the cud enters the first compartment, it can be brought back into the cow’s mouth to be chewed again more completely. It is slow, intentional, and thorough. It is called ruminating. While it doesn’t sound very appetizing to us, that is how we should approach the Word of God. We should not be in a hurry when it comes to the Bible. We should chew on it, then bring it back and chew on it again.

When we meditate the Scriptures, we can select a verse or passage to meditate. We can choose to memorize it, but it is more than memorization. When we meditate, we invite the Holy Spirit to teach us and show us deeper truths and meanings found in the Word. We can be meditating on the same verse for days or even longer. We may ponder it while we drive, while we go to the store, while we mow. It is not limited to our daily quiet time with the Lord. Meditation allows the Word to infiltrate every moment of our lives.

Meditation brings change to us- possibly more than any other method of studying the Word. It transforms the mind and leads us to act in ways that bring success to our lives. It alters how we think and gives us the mind of Christ. And meditating can be so rewarding. When you’re thinking on a passage of Scripture, and the Lord shows you something new and exciting in it, it brings a thrill that cannot be described.

So, don’t rush through the Word to get your devotional time accomplished. Ponder it. Meditate on it. Savor it and enjoy the change it can bring to you. When we chew on the Word of Truth, truth is released in us and sets us free, totally changing our lives.