In today’s world of Bible apps and smart phones, why memorize scripture?
Yesterday, I taught a Bible study at my home church and challenged the women attending to memorize Psalm 63:1-5. When O returned home after teaching my little grandson, Charlie (3 1/2) showed me the verses he was working on memorizing for his Bible class. All of this got me thinking, why bother memorizing? Many of us have the Bible downloaded on our phones which means we carry the entire Word of God in our pockets. So cool! Even though this is true, there is nothing equal to actually memorizing scripture. Why? Because when we memorize scripture God’s words sink down deep into the crevices of our thinking and we are able to change thought patterns.
I don’t know about you, but my thought patterns can be troublesome. Those troublesome thoughts may come in the form of fear or anxiety, envy or greed, selfishness or lustfulness but in that moment, I need a way to re-program what’s happening in my brain. the way I re-program is to begin rehearsing scripture that I have memorized. Right now I am re memorizing Psalm 63 because it reminds me that my true longing is for God Himself. It’s easy to get caught up in our temporary longings; I long for a new house, I long for more success, I long for a shopping spree etc. But when I get that craving to grab my credit card and hit the mall, I can stop and take my mind back to Psalm 63 – “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you….” in that moment, I realize, once again what I desire most deeply is God Himself! Or, when worry and fear attack my mind, I run to passages like Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure , whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praise worthy – think about such things.”
So here’s a challenge for you today, pick a passage, it can be long or short and start committing it to memory! Rehearse it eery day for a week and it will be yours for life!! Leave a comment and let me know what you are memorizing – I will be giving away a worship CD…….but you have to leave a comment. Can’t wait to hear what you’re memorizing!~
6 Responses
Jessica
Sweet Becky, Thank you!!! I needed this reminder to memorize. I seem to do so in short spurts where I memorize for a while and then take a long break without even meaning to. I was just about to enter one of these breaks without even realizing it.
I am memorizing Psalm 9 right now.
Sheri
I am blessed to be in your Bible study at Foothills. So, I am following your suggestion, working on memorizing Psalm 63:1-5. Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to change my life to become more like Christ.
Keri P
I just went back to school to work towards my certification in life coaching! I’m going to commit to memorizing a scripture one of my professors stated as is both applies to me at the current moment, and should also be helpful to future clients.
Galatians 6:4-5 (The Message)
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Amy
We are so thankful for the gift of God’s precious Word and have been blessed, encouraged, refined, and challenged by memorizing it. Because one of our children qualified for the National Bible Bee in November, we’re working on those verses this fall. Psalm 25 is today’s passage.
Gloria Willer
Why memorize Scripture today? I am guilty for not memorizing Scripture as I should . . . It should be a discipline of my spiritual life and growth. Why memorize Scripture when we have our smart phones, web access, etc etc?? A day may come when the smart phone isn’t available (I may have just forgotten to charge the battery . . . or, I may have lost it or broken it) The internet may not be available . . . I may not even have my Bible . . . A day may come, God forbid, when all these have been taken away from me. If God’s Word is hidden in my heart, I will have access to it at any time and in any place and circumstances I find myself.
Karen
I Love getting scripture hidden away in our hearts but i don’t always do it. Sometimes I use the “Fighter Verses” app.
Its verse shows on my nook each day for the week. This week Matthew 5:3-6