Scripture Meditation: Part Two
Last week I introduced the familiar concept of meditation and what it means to Christians. Unlike the world’s definition, Scripture meditation is focused on God. He’s the ultimate Author of the Bible and as we slow our reading down we can savor each of His bites.
Another aspect of this word is surprisingly different, even the opposite. It means to moan, groan, or mumble without words simply because you have none. Something in your life has not turned out as you hoped and your heart breaks even when you spend time with God in His Word. King Hezekiah understood that heartbreak when he suffered from a life-threatening illness,
Like a swallow or a crane I chirp; I moan like a dove. My eyes are weary with looking upward. O Lord, I am oppressed; be my pledge of safety! Isaiah 38:14
The meditation of his heart, without using words, caused a weariness, however, He continued to look up. You may be familiar with those lower tones or indistinct sounds as you grieve over something that’s happened, but take heart, God even understands those mumbles. In fact, Paul wrote that all of creation has a united groan while it waits for the new Kingdom of God at Christ’s return. As adopted children of God we also groan for our new, redeemed bodies, and the Holy Spirit groans in intercession for us without using words.
Our times of groaning prayer are understood by God, He knows this life is temporary, therefore, He has the bigger picture. That’s the value of Scripture meditation, it connects us to Him giving us hope in the face of troubles. Like Hezekiah, we can get tired and weary trying to stay positive in our confident expectation of God’s deliverance, consequently, those groans and moans become our meditation to Him.
O Master, these are the conditions in which people live, and yes, in these very conditions my spirit is still alive— fully recovered with a fresh infusion of life! It seems it was good for me to go through all those troubles. Throughout them all You held tight to my lifeline. You never let me tumble over the edge into nothing. But my sins You let go of, threw them over Your shoulder—good riddance! Isaiah 38:16-19 MSG
Again, Eugene Peterson gets to the heart of Hezekiah’s declaration and we can learn from it. Can we turn our times of trials into times of rejoicing? Can we look at this temporary life from God’s perspective? The only way is through meditating on His Word. With the help of the Spirit you can find just the right passage at just the right time; you simply have to ask. Remember, this isn’t about connecting with your inner self or using guided spirits in meditation; this is about connecting with the Creator of the Universe, the Savior of the World, and the One who holds it all in His hands.
He understands you even when you have no words.
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