All of us could benefit from it. It only takes half a mind to do it. You may not think you have time to do it, but if you take the time, you will be blessed in the long run. It will enrich your life and give you more contentment and peace of mind. What is it? What could possibly provide so many rewards? It's the little-practiced art of meditation.

Let's look at our lives a bit. It's no surprise we live in a hectic world filled with all kinds of sins and distractions. The glitter is seemingly everywhere. On TV, in movies and now even here on the Internet. If we allow it, this present evil world, so full of sins and distractions, can preoccupy our lives to the extent of drawing our eyes off the Kingdom of God. And if we take our eyes off the prize, we are exposed, vulnerable and easier prey for Satan the devil. We need to make meditation a part of each day.

What is meditation? What is its purpose? What benefits will it bring us? Let's look at each of these questions one by one.

What Is It?

Here's a definition: Meditation is a concerted mental effort to contemplate a single theme in its many facets. In other words, it's mental work that takes effort pondering a subject to the extent of becoming intimately familiar with it.

Here's another definition: Meditation is the private devotion to deep, continuous, purposeful reflection of the mind on a single theme. As we are reminded in Colossians 3:2, we need to set our minds "on things above, not on things on the earth."

What Is the Purpose of Meditation?

A vital purpose of meditation is to cleanse our hearts and minds from the evils of this world. Our thinking processes can be clearer and more focused. We can literally do as it says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 in "bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."

What Benefits Will it Bring Us?

Quite simply, it will bring our minds closer to God's own mind. As we study the Bible, we need to meditate on what we study and read. This is where we really profit from Bible study. By thinking deeply about and meditating on what we read in the Bible, we gain the added benefit of more deeply understanding the intended meaning and see more clearly how to apply God's Word in all aspects of our lives. By digesting the Bible through meditation, it literally becomes a part of us.

Society around us tries to keep our minds and thinking shallow, operating only on a superficial level with very little depth. We can allow ourselves to gain false values and standards and literally keep ourselves from the Kingdom of God! Instead of distraction, we need concerted concentration and spiritual depth in our minds. We will be blessed by God if we are diligent in our meditative efforts.

An excellent example from the Bible on meditation and its benefits is found in the Psalms. They are filled with David's thoughts and meditations on many subjects.

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:1-2).

David was a man after God's own heart who meditated on the laws of God again and again. Let's look at another example.

"Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies; for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers for Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep Your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Your word. I have not departed from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:97-104).

Meditation will give us new perspective and understanding on why things are the way they are.

"My mouth shall speak wisdom, and the meditation of my heart shall give understanding" (Psalm 49:3).

In always seeking to please God, David wanted more than anything to do what was right in God's eyes. As a result, God granted him great wisdom and understanding.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:14).

Meditating on Future Events

We have a wonderful future in the Kingdom of God. It bears meditating about that future. Do we picture ourselves there and think what it will be like? We should. The Kingdom will become much more real to us over time as we ponder what it will be like and picture ourselves there.

Other Areas of Meditation

What are some other things that we can meditate on?

Philippians 4:8 says "whatever things are true...noble...just...pure...lovely...of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things."

What comes under these categories? We talked briefly about meditating on what the Kingdom of God will be like on this earth. Here are others:

Think about the wonders of God's creation. Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." Think about what it must have taken for God to plan out and design the universe! How much discussion God and the Word must have had. They must have discussed it in great detail with the angels because they shouted for joy at the creation of the earth.

Another area that bears thinking about is how certain characters lived in the Bible. Think about what it must have been like for Moses to first see the burning bush or for the apostles to witness the miracle of Christ walking on the water. Imagine the emotion they experienced during the crucifixion as their Friend and Savior was dying! You can make the Scriptures come alive and they will become much more meaningful!

When to Meditate

When should you meditate? Every day we should orient our thoughts on good and righteous things when we study God's word. Remember Deuteronomy 6 where we are instructed to teach God's principles diligently to our children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up." In other words, all the time!

How about when we pray? That's a good time to think through private matters with God and discuss various ways to handle difficult situations and trials.

Meditation can bring us peace of mind and comfort. It can build our faith. It certainly will increase our understanding as we ponder what the Bible says and how we should live by every word of God.