Why Scripture Memory?
There
are basically four ways to interface with the Bible:
Listening, Reading, Studying, and Memorizing. Sadly,
of the four ‘Scripture Disciplines’, memorizing
is clearly the most neglected. Memorizing is hard
work! In 1990 when I first began considering commitment
to Scripture memory I quickly discovered that I
could much more easily read several chapters than
memorize one verse. But I found with others who
have taken the plunge and committed to hiding God’s
Word in their hearts that there is no substitute
for memory work. Let’s explore why it’s important
to memorize Scripture.
We Memorize in Obedience to God
The word “Memorize” is not in the Bible; nevertheless,
it is clear that God instructs Christians to memorize
and mediate on Scripture. Consider Deuteronomy 6:6-9.
These commandments that I give you today are
to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you
walk along the road, when you lie down and when
you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and
bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes
of your houses and on your gates.
Also Psalm 119:11 states
I have hidden your word in my heart that I
might not sin against you.
Both of these passages clearly commend Scripture
memory - and not just superficially. No, these passages
encourage and admonish the believer to work diligently
to let the Word enter the deep crevasses of the
soul where it can clean, purify, and bear fruit.
Through Scripture Memory God Reveals Himself
Do you want to know God? The answer for every Christian
is a resounding “Yes!” We can be grateful that God
has provided a number of ways we can get to know
Him. I’m sure you could name several off the top
your head: prayer, fellowship with other believers,
reading and studying the Bible, and of course Scripture
memory! Perhaps it is because of the effort memory
work requires or perhaps it’s because one must quiet
and still the soul to effectively memorize and meditate.
Regardless of the reason, I find that the slow process
of committing Scripture to memory forces me to consider
Bible passages from many different angles. As I
do this with a prayerful attitude God reveals himself.
God Teaches Us How to Live Wisely and Victoriously
through Scripture Memory
Do you have a temptation that regularly gets you
down? Memorizing key passages that address your
area of weakness is an excellent antidote. Are you
confused as to what is the right response when confronted
decisions during the course of a day? Scripture
memory will give you guidelines to help you choose
wisely. Do you struggle to keep relationships clear
and peaceful? A heart that is never far removed
from memorizing and meditating on Scripture is far
more likely to choose kind, thoughtful words that
build up instead of hurtful or ‘clever’ words that
tear town.
Teach me how to
memorize!
