Day and Night

How Do I Meditate on Jesus Day and Night?
By Erica Hunt

When do you think about God?
Is it on Sunday mornings in church? Or when you catch a glimpse of the Bible in a stack of books? Maybe it’s when you need a parking space, hear of a tragedy, or watch the sunset that you find your thoughts shifting to Him. It might be at dinner time when you pause to pray or when you hear an explicit word across the room.
As busy, distracted beings we do not think of our Creator as much as we should. The obligations of our day and the wandering of our minds are hard to keep in check even when we make determined efforts to meditate on Christ and His Word.

There is a beautiful Psalm that contrasts a righteous man and a wicked man. It begins:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2 ESV)
Thinking about God, day AND night sound daunting! With ALL the demands and pressures and conversations of life, how is this even possible? Is it even possible?
The simple answer to that question is “No”. It is impossible for our finite, sinful, easily distracted minds to think about the things of Christ constantly; unless His Word becomes our delight.
The righteous man in Psalm 1 is able to meditate on God’s law day and night because he delights in it! When we are excited about something; a trip, a party, a budding relationship, our child’s accomplishment, we think about it, all the time. It is in the forefront of our minds and our energy is consumed with the thing that excites us. If Jesus becomes our delight, we become expectant of His presence in our lives, at all hours, day and night.

Of course, we go through seasons where we do not delight in God’s Word, when the Lord seems very distant, and when Jesus is anything but our delight. Mediating on Christ takes decisive intention and determination, despite our feelings about God. That is why forming routines that make it easier to trust and obey God is so important. When we incorporate Scripture and God’s law into our day, it becomes a habit of daily meditation. Practicing this inclines our mind to meditate on Him even into the night.
But delighting in God’s Word is somewhat circular. How do we love God’s Word? We learn to love God. How do we learn to love God? By reading His Word. As simple as it is, the work that must be done for the sake of the relationship can be challenging and go against our nature. But for believers, this is what we must do! God doesn’t force us to be near Him, He invites his children to seek Him.

Meditate on Christ by incorporating prayer; Scripture reading; and times of remembrance and reflection on God’s work in the world and your life. Create routines that remind you to pause and pray, like praying before meals, traveling, or bedtime. Look for a time in your day that you can set aside for Bible reading or listening to Scripture. This can be done while sitting in a waiting room, riding in the car, doing household chores, or during a workout! Ask a friend or spouse for accountability. Initiate conversations that help you look for how God is at work in your life.
God is so gracious! He doesn’t care when you seek Him. He doesn’t sleep and He’s never too busy! We have such freedom in carrying joys and sorrows to Him at all hours of our day, even in the dark of night. Those nighttime conversations, as inconvenient as they often are, can bring a quietness that invites close communion with God. Late-night feedings, sleeplessness, or storms that steal those precious minutes of rest can be surrendered to Christ.

These moments of meditation are an expression of delight in God and His word. This delight comes with time and practice. As you persist in knowing God, your ability to appreciate Him will grow, and He will ever be more and more present in your thoughts.

Application Suggestions:

• Pair an already existing habit with a spiritual discipline. Example: Pray for your journey as you buckle up in the car.
  
• Set an alarm on your phone to say a prayer or read one. Commit to following through when it goes off.
  
• Write out a verse that you can post in strategic locations around your workplace or home. When you see it, pause and meditate on it.
  
• Ask a friend to keep you accountable.

ERICA HUNT Lives with her husband, Justin, in South Dakota. She teaches middle school and loves traveling, collecting quotes, learning fun facts and historical information, drinking coffee, eating ice cream, and enjoying good conversation with friends.