Do you enjoy Jesus? Are you ready to deepen your relationship with Jesus this year? One of the most powerful ways to enjoy His presence is by slowing down and meditating on Scripture. While Bible study is an important discipline that helps us understand God’s Word, meditating on Scripture invites us to sit quietly in God’s presence, savoring His truths and letting them penetrate our hearts. Meditation asks two primary questions: What does this verse/passage say about me? What does this verse/passage say about God? Starting with the Psalms is a wonderful way to begin this practice.
This year, I (Anne Marie) am mentoring someone, and one of my goals is to help them grow in meditating on Scripture. We can so easily get caught up in Bible reading plans, ensuring we keep up or catch up, that we miss this beautiful practice. It’s one of my favorite ways to grow in my delight in the Word. The Psalms are rich with raw emotion, honest questions, and deep reflections on God’s character. They remind us that we can bring our whole selves to God—our joy, sadness, confusion, and hope. Meditating on the Psalms helps us slow down, breathe in God’s truth, and enjoy His presence in a way that is different from the structured learning of a Bible study. As Paul Tripp writes, “No one talks to you more than you do. You’re in a constant conversation with yourself, and the things you say to you, about you, about God, about life, then shape the way you live.” (Paul Tripp, The Gospel: One Psalm at a Time).
Meditating on Scripture allows us to pause that internal dialogue and let God’s Word speak louder. Instead of approaching the Bible with a checklist or study guide, we sit with it, letting it guide our thoughts and emotions.
Thoughts and Emotions: Managed by Scripture, Not by Us
Thoughts and emotions are unavoidable, and if we don’t manage them, they will manage us. Psalm 13 is a beautiful example of how meditating on Scripture helps us navigate life’s challenges. Let’s walk through its truths together:
Be Honest
David begins Psalm 13 honestly: “How long, O Lord?” (vv. 1-2). Four times in two verses, he cries out to God. Meditating on this Psalm invites us to do the same. Sitting alone in our emotions leaves us vulnerable to lies—about ourselves, about God, and about our circumstances. But bringing our emotions to God in honesty creates a safe space where we can process them in His presence.
Journaling prompt: David’s cry of “How long, O Lord?” reflects deep emotions like frustration, despair, confusion, and even loneliness. Take a moment to reflect on your own heart. Which of these emotions do you resonate with:
- Frustration
- Despair
- Confusion
- Loneliness
- Anger
- Fear
- Hopelessness
- Sadness
Now, write out an honest prayer to God, beginning with the words, “How long, O Lord?” Share the emotions you’re feeling with Him. Though it may feel difficult, allow yourself to experience the kindness of God and the comfort of His presence as He listens to your cries. In this vulnerable honesty, you’ll discover the beauty of enjoying Jesus—not by hiding your struggles but by bringing them to Him and experiencing His love and faithfulness in the midst of them.
Look Up, Not Around
David lifts his eyes to God: “Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes” (v. 3). He seeks to see his circumstances through God’s perspective, not his emotions. Meditating on Scripture helps us do the same, trusting His Word to guide and illuminate our path.
Journaling prompt: Write a prayer asking God to “light up your eyes” with His perspective. Start with, “This is what I see…” (list your view of your circumstances), then ask, “Lord, help me to see what You see in this.”
What emotions or circumstances do you need to filter through God’s truth? Meditate on Scripture and trust Him to transform how you see your life, drawing you closer to Jesus.
Remember
In verse 5, David recalls God’s steadfast love: “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” Reflection is a powerful part of meditation. When we pause to remember God’s faithfulness in the past, we find courage and hope for the present. As you meditate on Scripture, pause and reflect back on the goodness of God in your past.
Journaling prompt: How have you personally experienced God’s steadfast love in your life in the past?
Rejoice
Finally, David makes a choice to rejoice: “I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me” (v. 6). Even though his circumstances haven’t changed, David’s heart has. Regardless of our circumstances, God’s love for us is steadfast, He has provided salvation for us through the blood of His Son, and one day Jesus will return for us and we will spend eternity with Him.
Journaling prompt: How can you choose to rejoice today, knowing that God’s love and salvation remain unchanging?
Slowing Down to Enjoy Jesus
When we meditate on Scripture, we intentionally slow down. We read the same passage multiple times, let its truths sink in, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts. This is not about gaining more knowledge but about deepening our relationship with Jesus. It’s about delighting in His Word and letting it shape us from the inside out.If you want to grow in what it means to Enjoy Jesus, take your time through the Psalms. Pick a Psalm, read it slowly, pray through it, and let its truths wash over you. As this Psalm closes, notice that, while there is no mention of David’s circumstances changing, it is very evident that David had been changed by choosing to invite God into the midst of his emotions. He went from despair to joy!