A PRICELESS PRIVILEGE

Extra from Volume 6#3 by Rebekah P.

As I was thinking about the topic of Scripture memorization, I realized what a privilege it is to have the ability to memorize God’s word. I read this passage, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Do you look at the Bible as God talking to you? Do you love the word of God? This passage says that all Scripture is spoken or written by God and that it is profitable for so many things. It also says that all of us who desire to live a godly life will be persecuted. You must have a firm foundation in Christ. You must be built on the rock of Jesus Christ. One way to build a firm foundation is to know what God has said to us. Psalm 1:1-2 says, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” This verse calls the person that delights in God’s word, blessed. Do you delight in God’s word? “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165) Do you truly seek after God’s word? This verse says that he meditates on it day and night. A wonderful way to meditate on God’s word is to memorize it. Practice it all throughout the day.

Storing up God’s truths in our heart is a privilege that we often take for granted. In some countries, the Bible is forbidden. There it is cherished. You must remember that you know not what tomorrow will bring, if you ever are persecuted and you are not aloud to have a Bible, then those passages that you have stored up in your heart will be priceless!

When you have verses stored in your heart then it will also better prepare you to give and answer for the hope that lies within you. I would encourage you to memorize verses that you can repeat to yourself when you are tempted. Verses like James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” That verse is a good reminder to me that if we fight off the devil’s attacks then he will run away from you!

Try memorizing only a verse a day to start with. Ask God to help you, for with out His help you can do nothing. God will bring to mind verses that you have memorized later to encourage you and others. When you are carrying with you, wherever you go, pieces of the Bible, and meditating on God’s truths day and night, then it will start to flow out of you. What you read and who you are around, determines who you will be. Hebrews 4:12 says “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Remember that you have a very special opportunity right now! You may not have the opportunity tomorrow.

I have found that a wonderful motivation is to pick a partner, and a passage to memorize and memorize it together. It will strengthen your relationship with that person, you will both be storing up God’s great truths in your heart, you will be keeping each other accountable and it will be fun! My siblings and I enjoy memorizing together. We have memorized many passages together and are currently working on memorizing the book of 2 Corinthians. Even if you don’t think you can do memorizing, I encourage you to try anyways. Let us delight in God’s powerful word and purpose to glorify Him as we hide His words in our heart.

Rebekah (15) is one of a family of 9. Some of her interests include, reading, gardening, being with little children, writing, and playing piano. Her chief desire in life is to glorify her Savior and to encourage others in Him.

RETURN TO SAMPLE ARTICLES INDEX