J.I. Packer is a proponent of biblical meditation. He writes, “How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.”[1] For me, this was the most important principle of Packer’s approach to the study of theology. After reading this statement, I was inspired to incorporate the practice of Lectio Divina in my devotions and sermon preparation. This slowing down to soak in the truths of Scripture, taking time to think deeply about the text, praying through it, and contemplating God’s revelation has revolutionized my walk with God. Often, the time crunch of pastoral ministry causes anxiety and stress to build, but now I understand that taking the time and creating space for biblical meditation is key to fruitfulness and faithfulness in ministry. For God calls us to this knowledge of being still before Him and trusting Him to work on our behalf (Ps. 46:10).

[1] J.I. Packer, Knowing God, (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2021), 23.