John N. N. Ng'ang'a

Daily Meditations on Leadership

This is book is meant to help you meditate on God’s word daily.

Meditation is largely misunderstood. Christianity teaches us to meditate, but not in the same way as the other religions. It therefore differs, for example, from TM (Transcendental Meditation), which has its roots in Hinduism.
Initially, the Transcendental Meditation technique was held to be a religion as was confirmed in a New Jersey court case, in the USA. But by the 1970s, the organization had shifted to a more scientific presentation while maintaining many religious elements. The movement now describes itself in spiritual, scientific, and non-religious terms. This shift has been described by both those within and outside the movement as an attempt to appeal to the more secular West.

But that has not changed it from being a non-Christian activity. A former practitioner says:

The TM technique is based around repeating a so called “mantra” effortlessly in your mind. A mantra is a verbal sound which the TM organization claims to be meaningless, but apparently they are names of Hindu gods in Sanskrit. Some are even short prayers.

Christianity today magazine says:
Overstressed Americans are increasingly turning to various forms of Eastern meditation, particularly yoga, in search of relaxation and spirituality. Underlying these meditative practices, however, is a worldview in conflict with biblical spirituality – though many Christians are (unwisely) practicing yoga.

Another source says:
Transcendental Meditation, as it is often called, is not biblical meditation. It is dangerous and actually opens up one’s mind for satanic attack as it is found in New Age thinking. iv

For Christians, the Bible still encourages us to meditate.
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua 1:8, NIV
Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
Psalm 4:4, NKJV

Not only is it not wrong to meditate, but the Bible actually requires it of us. Someone has defined meditation as:
“The act of focusing one’s thoughts: to ponder, think on, muse.” Meditation consists of reflective thinking or contemplation, usually on a specific subject to discern its meaning or significance or a plan of action. Some synonyms would be contemplation, reflection, rumination, deep thinking, or remembering in the sense of keeping or calling something to mind for the purpose of consideration, reflection, or mediation.” v

Defined this way, meditation should be every Christian’s spiritual discipline. In Christian meditation you do not empty your mind, but rather fill it with God’s word as you meditate on it. This book will give you a Bible verse to meditate on each day. You will also find my short comment on the verse to trigger your mind as you meditate. However, remember that only God’s word is infallible. Once triggered to think about an issue, please read the whole passage so that you get the verse in the right context.

There are many benefits promised to those who meditate on God’s word, but you only get these benefits when you do it reverently. Irving Jensen writes:

“Reflection is the mind and heart at work, thinking over and concentrating on what the eyes have seen . . . Reflection in the Bible reading should have the intensity of meditation, whereby the soul has the desire and intention of obeying God’s Word. vi
May this book of meditation on the Bible book of Exodus affect the way you live and lead.