Pastor's Pondering
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Why Memorize
by Tim Weadon (guest author) on March 10, 2022One of the most beautiful things in my Christian life has been scripture memorization. I have advocated it for decades, yet most fellow believers simply say, “I can’t memorize”.
What is the purpose of scripture memorization? Why should I do it? Why do I say it is beautiful?
Scripture is given to us for “a light unto our path” (Ps 119:106), it is the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), it is the guide for the young man (Ps 119:9).
Knowing and keeping God’s word in our heart is commanded in Deut 6, Joshua 1:8, Col 3:16.
Psalm 19:10 states that God’s word is much more desirable than “pure Gold” and sweeter than the honeycomb. And when we keep it there is great reward!
Do you believe that? Is knowing the word of God and keeping it paramount in your life? If it is then you know that the “great reward” is much more than physical prosperity, it is those precious moments when you see God, as he reveals himself to you through his word. How often do you get this in your life?
In Psalm 46:10 the psalmist writes “Be still and know that I am God”.
In this day of hustle and bustle, for most of us, our employment robs us of our mind. Unlike the typical “manual labor” in the olden times our minds are gainfully captivated by our jobs. We get up early, rush to get to work, focus on our duties, rush home to do our duties and finally crash either in bed or in front of the TV / Internet. If we are lucky, we may spend some time in prayer and reading in the morning or at night. But to take that precious time to “Be still and know that I am God” is often not in our daily schedule.
I am a big advocate of meditation in God’s word. When you read the Bible don’t simply do it to learn, take time to digest it, take it in, and see the whole picture and let it change you.
The fruits of memorization will let God speak to you at a different level and at times when you least expect it. (Often in times when your mind is free, and you are busy doing "manual labor" around the house!)
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Colossians 3:16.