READ
“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)
“I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.”
- Psalm 119:15–16 (ESV)
REFLECT
With life as chaotic and confusing as it is right now, we will only have time to accomplish the tasks we make time to do. We prioritize all the time without thinking. What would happen if we began to prioritize with intentionality?
When you sit down to eat a meal, do you take your time and enjoy it? Or do you devour it all as fast as you can so you can move on to the next thing? Could you imagine treating an expensive steak like it was a fast-food hamburger?
At times, for me, studying the Bible becomes more like a chore I have to get through quickly rather than a special privilege to enjoy. If you’re a pastor, you understand the stress of the realization: Sunday’s coming, and I have to have my sermon prepared for the people!
The Hebrew word for “meditate” is הגה (haw-gah). It means: to coo, growl, mutter, read in an undertone, speak, or proclaim. Like a lion relishing the delightful taste of marrow in a bone, or a baby cooing with a pacifier, we have a word picture of what it looks like to “meditate” and “delight” on God’s Word.
The opening words of Psalm 1 remind us that those who “avoid the counsel of the wicked” and “whose delight is in the law (God’s Word) are blessed.
That only happens when we slow down and savor God’s Word. Meditating on God’s Word engages my senses, sharpens my focus, and unites me with Christ — the Living Word.
The Bible offers more than understanding. It provides us nourishment and enjoyment. It is a delicacy to be savored.
So how can we learn to savor the Scriptures? One spiritual discipline that can help us fully receive and appreciate God’s Word is Lectio Divina. It’s a Latin term that means divine reading, and it represents an intentional structure of thoughtful, reflective Scripture reading.
This type of Bible reading is a way we pray the scriptures. We slow down, read a short passage more than once, and spend time purposefully valuing the words God has spoken. When we pause to savor God’s Word, the text speaks to us. God Himself speaks to us, though not in an audible voice, inviting us deeper, drawing us into a more intimate relationship with Him through Christ.
Lectio Divina is one of several spiritual practices that can deepen your relationship with God. But like any other habit you’re trying to establish in your life, it helps to have a resource to guide you.
I am so excited to share a new app for you to use alongside your daily Bible readings, A Simple Pause developed by LuAnn Roberson. This resource is designed to supplement your devotions and enhance your quiet time. Lectio Divina is one of the spiritual practices you can find on A Simple Pause. There are other intentional tools as well to help you grow in your relationship with God.
If you want extra guidance or direction in your time spent meditating in the Scriptures, A Simple Pause is a tool made with you in mind.
RESPOND
Life is full of distractions and chaos. Maybe it’s time that we make time to be still.
If you want to get started on your journey toward deeper intimacy with God, you can download the A Simple Pause app from iTunes or Google Play.
Install it on your mobile device today and discover the value you can add to your life with a simple pause. For more information on A Simple Pause and LuAnn Roberson, visit www.asimplepause.org.