The Art of Meditation by J. D. Montgomery

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Jul 24, 1913

The Art of Meditation

By J. D. Montgomery

The Importance of Meditation

THAT this is a matter of great importance I think no one will deny, for in this present time of haste and hurry we find that too many do not take time to even think or study, and probably the great majority do not know how to meditate.

There lived a young man in ancient times who learned the secret of quiet meditation, and the habit was so strong upon him that he "went out to meditate in the field at the eventide," though he was daily expecting that his bride-to-be would appear upon the scene and his marriage would immediately follow. See Gen. 24:63. Isaac knew when was the best time of day and the best place for this meditation.

Upon What Are We to Meditate?

To Joshua this advice was given: "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written." Joshua 1:8. Meditation should be on holy things, and for a definite, useful purpose; that is, to learn to do "all that is written" therein. We meditate that we may become more proficient in doing. There can be no lasting profit in mere day-dreaming and idle musing over sentimental or unimportant matters. There is to be a definite, wide-awake purpose in all our meditation, even "in the field at the eventide."

Vain Meditation

"Why do the heathen rage, and the people meditate a vain thing?" Ps. 2:1, margin. Just to sit and meditate idly will not do; nor will vain thoughts and aspirations, in the sense of this text, prevail. In the text the idea of vain meditation is that it is useless to imagine such things for they cannot be realized. There must be full control of the thoughts in all times of meditation. Day-dreaming and building air-castles are not meditation in the Bible sense, and should not be indulged in. They are vain, do the mind no good, and are merely meditation running riot without control. This will eventually lead the mind to meditation on forbidden and evil thoughts.

Proper Meditation

The meditation of the psalmist was on this wise: "I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches." Ps. 63:6. Then again he says: "I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings." Ps. 77:12. "My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the Lord." Ps. 104:34. "I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways." Ps. 119:15. "I will meditate in thy precepts." Verse 78. "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Verse 97. These statements are quoted to show clearly what should be the subject of our meditation. This is not idle musing, this is not day-dreaming nor air-castle building; this is character-building thought, this is constructive meditation.

"I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation." Ps. 119:99. Meditation, then, gives understanding. There is interest of the keenest kind in true meditation: "Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word." Verse 148. It takes a very absorbing matter to keep one alert in the night watches, but the habit of right meditating will do it even as in the case of the psalmist. Try it. There are manifold items about which to meditate: "I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands." Ps. 143:5. This is meditation for profit, and is the mental activity needed by every Christian; in fact, it is almost a command that we practise the art of meditation. "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all." 1 Tim. 4:15.

Newark, Ohio.