Savoring Scripture
How Meditation Transforms Our Relationship with God
For over 2,000 years, the Bible has been the guiding voice for Christians seeking to follow Jesus. It shapes our beliefs, directs our lives, and calls us into deeper relationship with God. At Formation Church where I pastor, our own doctrinal statement affirms, “The Scriptures are the authoritative and normative rule and guide of all Christian life, practice, and doctrine.”
In other words, the Bible is the primary place where we hear God’s voice.
But if we’re honest, our relationship with Scripture is often complicated.
Some parts are hard to understand, even for scholars. The Bible has been weaponized throughout history, leaving many skeptical of its true purpose. It was written in a different culture and time, which can make it feel distant from our modern lives. And perhaps most significantly, many of us have been taught to read Scripture in a way that actually stunts its transformative purpose.
Most of us were trained to read the Bible informationally—gathering knowledge, memorizing verses, and extracting theological insights. And while gaining information isn’t bad, if it becomes the sole way we engage Scripture, it can leave us missing the deeper invitation.
As M. Robert Mulholland Jr. writes:
“If we approach Scripture simply to extract information, we risk turning the Bible into an object we control rather than a voice that transforms us.”
We see the consequences of this approach all over modern Christian culture. Arguments, division, and the misuse of Scripture to wield power rather than cultivate love.
But what if we started reading the Bible differently?
What if we approached it like a letter from a loved one?
A Different Way to Read Scripture
When my wife, Tami, was in college, she spent a month studying abroad in Florence, Italy. This was before the days of easy international texting or FaceTime, so we wrote letters to each other.
I remember reading her letters slowly, savoring every word. I read them repeatedly, not because I was preparing for a debate, but because I wanted to hear her heart.
That’s the posture I believe Scripture invites us to take.
In Jeremiah 15:16, Ezekiel 3:3–4, and Revelation 10:9–10, prophets were told to “eat” God’s words—consuming them in a way that metabolized them into their very being.
Eugene Peterson put it this way:
“If Holy Scripture is to be something other than mere gossip about God, it must be internalized.”
God didn’t give us His voice so we could pass a Bible trivia exam. He gave it to us so we could be transformed through relationship with Him.
That’s why today, I want to talk about an ancient, often-neglected practice: biblical meditation.
What Is Biblical Meditation?
For some Christians, the word “meditation” feels unfamiliar or even unbiblical—like something rooted in Eastern spirituality rather than the Christian tradition.
But Scripture paints a different picture.
Psalm 1:2 – The happy individual “meditates on God’s instruction day and night.”
Psalm 19:14 – “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord.”
Psalm 77:12 – “I will consider all your works and meditate on your actions.”
Biblical meditation is not emptying the mind but filling it with God’s Word—reflecting on it, savoring it, and allowing it to shape us.
Richard Foster, in Celebration of Discipline, notes:
“The Bible uses two different Hebrew words to convey the idea of meditation, appearing some 58 times. These words mean: listening to God’s word, reflecting on His works, rehearsing His deeds, and ruminating on His law. In each case, there is an emphasis on changed behavior as a result of our encounter with God.”
In other words, meditation isn’t just about reading—it’s about transformation.
The Invitation of Biblical Meditation
We’re invited to encounter God personally by savoring Scripture slowly.
A story in 1 Samuel 3:1–10 illustrates this beautifully.
Samuel’s First Encounter with God’s Voice
This story takes place during a time of spiritual scarcity in Israel.
One translation of 1 Samuel 3:1 says,
“In those days, messages from the Eternal were rare, and sacred dreams or visions were given to very few.” (The Voice)
Israel was in a season of rebellion and corruption. The priesthood, under Eli, had become compromised, and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were notorious for their wickedness. Against this backdrop, a young boy named Samuel, dedicated to God from birth, was serving in the temple.
One night, Samuel heard a voice calling his name. Naturally, he assumed it was Eli. Three times he ran to Eli, only to be sent back to bed. It wasn’t until the third time that Eli realized: God was speaking to Samuel.
He instructed Samuel to respond differently.
“Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”
When Samuel did, God entrusted him with His voice—setting a new trajectory for Israel’s future.
Three Affirmations for Biblical Meditation
Samuel’s story teaches us three key affirmations we need if we want to meditate on Scripture:
1. “I Welcome Your Voice.”
Samuel says, “Speak, LORD…”
Unlike Eli’s sons, who ignored God, Samuel was eager to hear from Him. He didn’t fully understand what was happening, but his heart was open.
How often do we approach Scripture with a closed posture?
Think about a time you didn’t feel welcome somewhere. Maybe a retail worker made it clear they didn’t want to be of help. Maybe someone was distracted when you were trying to talk to them. Maybe you stood alone at a party while everyone else seemed to laugh and enjoy themselves.
If we aren’t careful, this is exactly how we treat God’s voice.
Scripture becomes an inconvenient interruption rather than a welcome gift. So, take a moment and consider the posture with which you approach the Scriptures.
Reflection Question:
How might you cultivate a more welcoming posture toward God’s voice?
2. “I Am Your Servant.”
Samuel calls himself a servant of God.
This implies a surrendered posture—a readiness to respond.
Many times, we come to Scripture looking for validation rather than transformation. We want it to affirm our opinions rather than reshape us.
Think about it like a sculptor. They don’t argue with the clay—they shape it. The marble didn’t resist Michelangelo’s movements when he was sculpting David. The bronze didn’t dictate to Rodin as he was sculpting The Thinker. The substance being sculpted simply yields.
Biblical meditation means coming to Scripture not to control it, but to be shaped by it. Unfortunately, many of us have obstacles that stand in the way of our willingness to assume this servant posture.
Reflection Question:
What might be standing in the way of fully surrendering to God’s voice? Pride? Fear? Unresolved wounds?
3. “I Am Ready to Listen.”
Samuel says, “Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.”
He wasn’t just open to God’s voice—he was attentive.
Meditation requires slowing down, listening, and responding.
I was recently listening to an interview with a famous film director who explained instituting a no-phones-on-set rule because he found it so rude that actors would be pouring themselves out in such vulnerable ways while crew members stood by scrolling through Instagram.
This got me thinking about the way we come to Scripture.
If God is willing to pour out His heart, the least we can do is pay attention. Meditation is meant to be our best attempt at giving God our full, undivided attention.
Reflection Question:
What distractions might you need to remove to listen more attentively to God’s voice?
Practical Steps for Biblical Meditation
Want to try this for yourself?
Here’s a simple way to meditate on Scripture:
Choose a Psalm – Spend a week with one Psalm, reading just 2-3 verses a day.
Pray Before You Read – Use a breath prayer: Inhale: “Holy Spirit” / Exhale: “Speak to me today.”
Read Slowly, Four Times
First: Notice a word or phrase that stands out.
Second: Contemplate where it intersects with your life.
Third: Consider where there’s an invitation.
Fourth: Respond to God in prayer.
The beauty of this structure is its flexibility. You can invest hours, or even just a few minutes. But far more important than the structure you use is the posture with which you come.
Closing Thought
We’re invited to encounter God personally by savoring Scripture slowly.
If your Bible reading has felt dry or disconnected, maybe it’s time to shift your posture. Come to Scripture not just as a scholar gathering knowledge, but also as a beloved child listening for the voice of their Father.
That's a powerful image you used of the filmset where actors were being vulnerable while others were screened out on their phones. Makes me wonder what I miss when my headphones are jammed in or my eyes are glued.
Thanks Pastor Ryan! These biblical thoughts are the secret to enjoying the Word of life. Receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your soul. Let the Word examine you as you submit to God’s authority, then you will delight in His abundance.