I’m not good at memorizing. It’s hard work, repetitive and requires discipline. But I crave the results.
Why memorize
I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
I love God and because of His grace and mercy want to live an obedient life. Knowing what He has said, and storing it in my heart, will help keep me from sin.
How to memorize
But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2
When I create reminders from the Bible and keep His words in the forefront of my mind, it begins to be part of me. This takes intentionality. It also happens by familiarity. We readily know lines from our favorite movie because of the repetition and by talking about it with others who love it, too.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
How many popular songs do you know the words to? I find lyrics stuck in my head as I go about my day. See how easy memorizing is? For those of us who grew up on hymns, we probably know more scripture than we think. We can learn Bible passages by putting it to music.
What to memorize
All Scripture (emphasis mine) is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16
Another passage puts it this way,
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Think about these things. Repeatedly. Intentionally. Fervently.
I’m recommitting to a discipline of hiding God’s word in my heart. Want to join me?
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