Meditate by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Remarkably, within Christian circles, the word ‘meditate’ can be off-limits or meet feelings of dismay. Some raise the case that meditation is part of eastern religions. However, the Psalmist reveals, “in His Law he meditates day and night” (Ps 1:2 NASB). While there are several words used within the Bible, we will focus on the one used here in this Psalm. Consider some examples below:

 

• To murmur, groan, mutter or chatter: Josh 1:8; Ps 1:2; 63:6; 77:12; 143:5; Is 33:18

• To ponder, to talk with oneself aloud, complain: Ps 119:15,23,48,78,148

 

• Muse thoughtfully: Gen 24:63

 

• To take care of, resolve in the 1 Tim 4:15

  

 

It is the first one in the list i.e. ‘to murmur, groan or mutter’ that we will consider. This meditation is not merely inward, passive, self-reflective, and self-emptying; rather it

is an intentional and focused reflecting and filling up on the Word of the Lord. It is an active practice that we will nickname ‘cow theology.’ That is, like the ruminating of a cow, we feed on His Word and gulp it down, only to bring it back up and mutter or chatter it to the Lord and ourselves. Then, swallow it and bring it back up and mutter or chatter it again, repeating the practice until we have gotten all that He wants us get from His Word at present.

 So, how is your cow theology? Are you like the Psalmist, ‘in His Law’, meditating day and night? Chewing it over and over until you have gotten all the Lord wants you to get from His word at this time?