A Ready Resource
In the early days of my Christian life, I memorized a lot of Scripture.
I have to admit that I am much less diligent in memorizing than I used to be, but I am also often amazed at the words of Scripture that come to mind.
These words are reminders of God’s love, commands, promises, and wisdom. They pop into my thoughts and redirect them or suggest a new way to consider a problem.
Their power is surprising. Considering them can actually prompt me to more godly action.
Our hearts are the starting points of life. Healthy hearts are essential for life to go on, and that health applies to our spiritual well-being as well as our physical.
We know that sin damages our relationship with God. It comes in and works its darkness, drawing us away from the Father and deceiving us. Sin is powerful.
Counterfeit light often cloaks its darkness and lures us into thinking that we are in God’s will when we are not.
The Word of God is more powerful than sin. It protects us from all manner of evil and directs us in the ways that we should live. We have this magnificent resource right at our fingertips.
It is most likely that anyone reading this book has a Bible. In fact, most of us have many copies and versions of the Bible.
But life’s temptations often present themselves when our Bibles are not at hand.
Suppose our hearts are not spiritually healthy. Suppose that at the very place from which all life begins, we are weak.
How will we know what God wants us to do when facing a confusing choice? How will we even be able to discern whether what crosses our path is from God or not?
The answers are in His Word, and there are many ways to study that Word. We hear it in sermons, read it when preparing for Bible studies, listen to it on the radio, and meditate on it during times of devotion.
But one of the most powerful ways to maintain access to the Word of God is to memorize it.
When it resides in our hearts it sits ready to be called forth at a moment’s notice.
We don’t have to find a Bible and then go to a concordance to locate Scripture to answer our questions. God’s Word is in us and fills our hearts with his love and wisdom.
Father, help us to visit again the discipline of memorization of your Word. We thank you for its ready access and realize, too, that the safest place for your Word is “hidden” in our hearts.