The Power of Memorizing

FEB 20 / Sunday – Read Deut. 6:4-9 / Prov. 7:1-3 / Ps. 1:1-3 / Ps. 119:41-48

Overview: There are times when all we have to count on is what we have committed to memory.

21 / Mon – Knowing precedes doing  |  Read Deut. 6:4-6 / Josh. 1:8 / Ps. 119:11

After the Lord freed his people from slavery, he gave specific laws they were to follow. Then they were commanded to memorize them. It was the first step to understanding what they meant. Only then could they be obeyed. The short version is called the 10 Commandments in Ex. 20:1-17. They still apply to us today. How many do you know? It is easier to recognize when you are obeying them if they have been planted in your brain.

22 / Tue – Plow new grooves in your brain  |  Read Deut. 6:7-9

Isn’t it true that the easiest passwords to remember are the ones you use every day? These verses give some ideas on how to review multiple times during the day what you are learning. Write it on a 3×5 card. Post it in a prominent place. Practice writing it from memory every day. Recruit a family member or friend to listen to you. Repeat them when you get up, when you go to bed, drive to work or take a walk. Try it for 21 days and those words will become a part of you.

23 / Wed – A means to an end  |  Read Rom. 12:2 / Ps. 119:130

In order for God’s word to transform the way you think, you need to understand what it says. One way to do that is by asking questions. What does this verse say? What does it mean? What does it teach me about God? What does it tell me about myself? How should this change me? The answers to these questions can move God’s word from your brain to your heart. Do this with a familiar verse like Genesis 1:1 or John 3:16. What deeper understanding did you gain?

24 / Thu – Input determines output  |  Read Matt. 4:1-10 and 12:34-35

Meditating on what you have memorized, even a short verse, brings deeper understanding as the Holy Spirit kneads it into your soul. Jesus grew up memorizing scripture and that’s what came out of his mouth when he confronted evil. It is interesting that Jesus did not debate but answered with God’s own words. Ever been in a situation where you did not have access to God’s word but really needed it? What verses might have been helpful? It’s not too late to learn them now.

25 / Fri – Faithful  |  Read 2 Peter 1:1-4

God is faithful. He has always kept his promises and he always will. What are some promises you are counting on? Have you memorized any of them? How do they keep you steady when it seems like nothing is happening? Have you ever repeated any of the promises back to God in prayer as a way to remind him and yourself of what he said he would do? It can be a powerful encouragement when you talk these things over with the Lord in this way.

26 / Sat – Where to start?  |  Read Matt. 13:44-45

This week may have encouraged you to be more intentional about scripture memory. But what if you don’t know where to start? Ask the Holy Spirit to point something out to you. Maybe a verse you heard in a sermon or on the radio or something you read in your devotional time. He will be faithful to show you where to start and then he will help you to learn and understand it. There are rich treasures to be discovered in the words of scripture. Especially when you make them your own.