Back in the Saddle Again
… And I’m not horsing around! ¬†I’m talking about hiding God’s Word in my heart through the discipline of Scripture memorization! ¬†It all started a couple of weeks ago when I was praying for the congregation, using Philippians 1:3-11 as my guide. ¬†I didn’t want to read as I prayed. ¬†I wanted to KNOW this prayer, so that I could pray it with fervency and with great feeling from my heart. ¬†I’ve almost got it memorized!
I’m also currently working on memorizing Psalm 8. ¬†I joined a Scripture memory group who work on memorizing the same passage, having a targeted deadline and holding one another accountable in an encouraging way. ¬†This is a great way to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). ¬†I can hardly wait to finish memorizing that psalm (I have till December 14!), for then I can pray or sing it as a song of praise to the Lord from my heart.
It’s been said that “old habits die hard,” but I have found that NOT to be the case when it comes to Scripture memory. ¬†When I was a kid, I memorized Scripture like crazy – as an Awana clubber, then a Word-of-Lifer, as a Christian School and Bible College student, etc. ¬†Even early on in my ministry as a pastor, I remained faithful in my commitment of Scripture memorization. ¬†But over the years I’ve become lax in this vital discipline. ¬†Yet recently the Lord has impressed upon me the importance of hiding His Word in my heart. ¬†It provides me ammunition in battling temptation; it cheers my heart when I’m discouraged; it shows me the way to go when I need direction; it enables me to offer godly counsel to others; it forces me to meditate on God’s Word, discovering gems that I would otherwise miss in a cursory reading of Scripture.
When one well-known pastor and author was asked why he spends so much time memorizing Scripture, he replied
I spend this much time on Bible memory because I believe in the power of the indwelling Word of God to solve a thousand problems before they happen, and to heal a thousand wounds after they happen, and to kill a thousand sins in the moment of temptation, and to sweeten a thousand days with the “drippings of the honeycomb.” ¬†I am jealous for you, my readers, that you would “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col. 3:16). ¬†This is the path to solid joy and all the service of love that it sustains. ¬†Christ will be seen as the fortune he is when we treasure His Word more than money, and when the joy it wakens overflows with sacrificial love (2 Cor. 8:2).
What a timely word to keep in mind as we enter the holiday season and stand on the threshold of another year. ¬†I challenge you to make Scripture memory a priority in your life. ¬†You won’t regret it. ¬†Whatever investment you make will be well worth it, both in this life and in the life to come.
3 Responses to “Back in the Saddle Again”
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Wow! I sure am glad you reminded us to keep on memorizing. The Word of God is truly a treasure. It is unlikely that we will at all times have a Bible within grasp so the importance of memorizing the Word of God can’t be overstressed. Psalm 119:105 states
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
Actually, nearly all of the 176 verses of that chapter refer to the Word of God. The Bible may not always be within grasp, but by keeping it fresh in our hearts it will be on the tips of our tongues.
You had me amazed last night. I was struggling to remember Proverbs 16:2, but misquoted it, and you instantly came back at me what I was really quoting, which was 1 Samuel 16:7. It was really something.
Yes, I think I’ll give scripture memorization a try. I can definitely see all the benefits you mentioned!
I’ve found a picture can “set” a Scripture in my brain… here’s my funniest example: I have this picture in my head of Casper the Friendly Ghost twirling a rope over his head, like a lasso. The rope flies over my thoughts and captures the ones that are not honoring to God; can you guess the verse that falls in with that? 2 Corinthians 10:5 and Casper is my own personal Holy Ghost! lol. It’s corny, but I will never forget that verse… and when I feel like I’m drowning or suffocating, “corny” doesn’t seem like such a bad idea!