Going Deeper: The difference between Bible reading and Bible meditation

^{This is an adapted excerpt from David’s new book: How to Read the Bible.}

There is a significant difference between Bible reading and Bible meditation.

Reading the Bible can involve merely seeing—or even saying out loud—the words on a page without pausing to ponder what they mean. Too often, the goal of Bible reading can become simply checking off a box, even seeing how quickly we can get our reading done in order to move on to something else. If we’re not careful, we can approach Bible reading the way we go through a fast-food restaurant. We’re focused on getting in and out, and our expectations for food quality are fairly low.

Enjoying Every Bite

But meditation is different. Meditating on the Bible involves thinking deeply about what we’re reading and reflecting prayerfully on what it means. It’s more like sitting down for a fine meal. Your focus is on enjoying every bite because you know this food will not just strengthen you; it will satisfy you.

God calls us not to just read his Word but to meditate on it day and night. The book of Psalms begins with these words:

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.

He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
–Psalm 1:1–3

We see a similar picture in Joshua, where God gives him the following instructions:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. –Joshua 1:8

Do you want to experience a fruitful life that matters in this world and the world to come? Do you want to experience true, lasting prosperity and success? If so, then take the time to meditate on God’s Word day and night.

A Plan to Get Started

So, where do you start? My first encouragement is for you to identify a daily Bible reading plan. Instead of just opening the Bible to different places on different days, I strongly encourage you to find an intentional way to walk through all of God’s Word. Multitudes of options exist that are used by other followers of Jesus, or you can create one on your own.

Personally, I use a Bible reading plan developed centuries ago by a man named Robert Murray M’Cheyne. I read two chapters a day (usually one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament or the Psalms), so over the course of two years, I will read through the Old Testament once and the New Testament and Psalms twice.

Years ago, Heather and I started using this plan in our time alone with God each day, and it revolutionized not only our individual relationships with God but also our relationship with each other. Now, many of our kids do it with us, and our church family has used it as well. It is so helpful to experience community with others who are walking with God together through his Word.

Help from Other Believers

I would also encourage you to get a good Study Bible that uses an accurate translation of Scripture. A Study Bible contains notes for different verses that help you understand the context and meaning of what you’re reading. It’s wise for us to receive counsel from brothers and sisters in Christ who have studied the history, culture, and original languages of the Bible far more in-depth than we have.

Regardless of which Bible translation or reading plan you might use, set aside a regular time in your day—or multiple times in your day (morning and evening, as Psalm 1:2 talks about)—to meditate on God’s Word.