Meditation Slows us to Hear God

Written by Trevor Hansen

Now the word for meditation here is יֶהְגֶּ֗ה the root of which is hagah. That root, hagah, means meditate or ponder. The Scripture is saying blessed are those who ponder deeply or meditate on the law. This concept of meditation is a little different than what we normally hear. The aim of this meditation is to remove ourselves from the myriad of distractions we face each and every day. In 2025 Americans used their cell phones for an average of four and a half hours each day up from just under three hours in 2022 this is from Consumer Affairs Journal. We are clearly a nation distracted.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16 NIV

Jesus saw the need to go to lonely places to be with God. Not only did he do it, but he did it often. He saw the need to leave all the distractions and to just be alone with God. So we too need to find that alone place with God. I have a state park just a few miles from me, Iao Valley, there is an area that almost no one goes to. I find it very helpful to go there and sit with God in silence.

Some times I can be in a quiet place but my mind is still running 1,000 mph. It is just as important to figure out how to quiet my mind as it is to find a quiet place. It may even be more important, because a quiet place with a loud mind doesn’t help. Meditation is a key to finding these quiet places, to slowing down in our busy world. Finding lonely places and meditating is what gets us to the place where we can hear God.

I know how important it is to hear God’s voice. I know how loud the world is and how much my mind races. I can see therefore how important it is for me to slow down to hear God’s voice.

“I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds” Psalm 77:12 NIV

We can choose to meditate and think deeply on the works of the Lord. I encourage you to spend a dedicated time every week to being alone in a quiet place to consider our Lord. I found for me I felt uncomfortable in the silence at first and had to push myself to get used to it. It’s worth it to work through it as we slowly grow more comfortable with silence.

Are you comfortable with silence with God?

What are some works of the Lord you can spend time considering?

How can meditation draw you closer to God?

Spend time with God this week in silence even if just a few minutes. Also spend some time working to get to know God through reading, prayer, fasting, and the church.

Reading our Bible helps us to know God
Prayer helps us to connect with God
Fasting reminds us to be humble before God
Meditation slows us to hear God
The Church gives us a chance to experience God