I have to admit, no matter how many times I hear about how
important Scripture memory is- I still have trouble following through with it.
When I was in highschool I had to memorize multiple verses a week (and in
Spanish too for that class) and yet I managed to memorize it without really
committing it to heart. I knew it for the test and then a couple days later it
was gone (much like how much Spanish I retained after the classes were over).
When I was older I heard from different studies how committing Scripture to
memory wasn’t just to get the gold star, but to reform your brain patterns and
combat sinful thoughts. Consequently I began to commit to memorization without
any real accountability. It was obviously slow going and the chapter of James
that I started with three years ago is now fuzzy from lack of review. Thus I am
excited to be taking a Spiritual Formation class that requires memorization as
part of the grade. Man, I need that motivation. However, I can say without reservation
that Scripture memory (even in my often uncommitted form) has helped me.
Take for example James 1:20 which I committed to memory
along with the rest of the chapter, once upon a time. It says, “for the wrath
of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”. I cannot tell you the
number of times I have felt extremely irritated, angry, hateful, or bitter and
that particular phrase has popped into my head. The trick here is connections.
Are you actually thinking about what you’re memorizing? Why could I so easily
forget those verses from highschool? I didn’t really care about intently
thinking on what they meant. Once I did that through constant review,
situations in life would automatically trigger the Biblical answer. I knew my
anger couldn’t accomplish any righteous ends. Even if the other person was in
the wrong, they weren’t going to listen to spiteful arrogance. Only what came
from God would have any impact.
The passage I’ve recently put aside for the memorization I’ve
begun for my class is Psalm 107. I used to have parts of this one as a
screensaver before I ever thought about memorizing it. Trapped in some sinful habits,
this amazing story of people getting trapped by circumstances, by their own
rebellion etc. and then turning and crying out to God was an amazing reminder
of my own situation. Later when I decided to memorize a Psalm, this one popped
into my head…though I was a little discouraged to find how stinking long it is.
So far I’m at 22 verses and the slacker in me would probably be fine with
stopping there. The Psalm divides into sections, but it always repeats the same
wonderful refrain that will be now ingrained in my memory forever. “Oh, that men would
give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His
wonderful works to the children of men!” Really, can you read that out loud
without deep conviction and expression? How many times has God showed me His
grace and saved me out of my distresses? Definitely more than I remember to
thankfully recognize. Memorizing this Psalm helped me to concentrate on God’s
goodness in the midst of depressing moments.
So it has been two years since I first started memorization and
put away the lies that knowing many bits and pieces of the Bible without
reference would be good enough. We live in the age of Google right? I really
wouldn’t want to go back to that though because the great joy that having His
word in my heart and mind has produced is irreplaceable. Although it is taken a
bit out of context in this sense, the new passage I’m memorizing for class (Romans 12) includes this verse, “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the
Lord;”. Scripture memorization is one more way to keep the fire going, to
remember the words of the Lord and to serve Him. Now I just need to work on in diligence,
right?
Text Reference: The Holy Bible, New King James Version
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
Photo Reference: New York Public Library, Work with schools,
Rivington Street Branch : readers fill room, study room at night, 1923.
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