Benefits

Series: Renewal

Psalm 119:11 ESV

Deuteronomy 11:18 ESV

Proverbs 6:23 ESV

Proverbs 4:20-21 ESV

Psalm 119:9 ESV

Matthew 4:4 ESV

Memorizing scripture has many benefits at every stage of life.

Psalm 119:11 tells us the psalmist wrote, “I have stored up your word in my heart,    that I might not sin against you.”

Many of us who attended regular Sunday School when we were young had the benefit of memorizing scripture on a regular basis. Starting early sets a lifetime pattern in motion.

Starting to memorize scripture when we are young is a great benefit because when we’ve known a verse a long time we will remember it well. That’s how God made our brains to work.

According to the psalmist from today’s verse, when we memorize scripture we remember the Word of God. Then when we are in a difficult situation where we have a choice, we can know and remember how to make good choices. The psalmist was speaking specifically about making good choices God wants us to make.

Certainly, memorizing and knowing scripture helps us make good choices, but there are many other benefits to remembering what scripture tells us.

Deuteronomy 11:18 tells us, “You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.”

Keeping God’s Word at the forefront of our mind will make it so we have it before, behind, between, and around us continually. It is a great tool for Spiritual Warfare. When we are under attack from others we can always quote scripture.

We can also be attacked by the forces of darkness. Even if we do not believe those forces exist, we can unexpectedly have frightening things happen.

One night many years ago I had a nightmare where I was being attacked. I was pregnant and a horrible creature came to my bedside and was trying to take my unborn child. I woke up screaming. The room literally smelled awful. The stench was unbearable.

My husband knew instantly evil was in the room.

We prayed for a long time until God’s peace filled the room.

Before that happened I had memorized scripture for years, but I looked up specific scriptures to quote when evil is near and I memorized those scriptures.

We know from Proverbs 6:23, “For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,    and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”

Having God’s Word memorized and in our heart is an ever constant guide through life. Not only does it help in the physical sense, it guides us spiritually by continuously lighting our way.  Daily we are faced with questions of morality and decisions we will make in life. Our choices can bless or they can fill us with regret.

Wise King Solomon was reminding us to let the commandments of God light our way so we will make good choices in life.

Proverbs 4:20-21 tells us, “My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.”

Solomon writes to those who came after him, specifically his own sons. His wise words are still a great benefit to us today. He was telling those who follow to keep the word of God in their hearts.

In Psalm 119:9 the psalmist wrote, “How can a young man keep his way pure?    By guarding it according to your word.”

In this very long psalm that contains basic words to live by from the Word of God, the writer (who is unknown) is giving young men advise to listen to scripture and follow God’s path of purity. The writer tells the young man that can be accomplished by remembering what God has said in scripture.

Remember…

He was telling them to remember the words they heard in Temple all their lives.

In Matthew 4:4 Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by the devil to turn a stone into bread. We remember that Jesus had not eaten for forty days and nights when the devil spoke to Him. This was the devil’s first temptation when he told Jesus if you are the Son of God, then turn the stone into bread. Jesus replied to the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Jesus’ reply made it clear that He had no intention of accepting the challenge Satan set before Him. Instead Jesus reminded the devil that He (or we through Jesus) live by the Word from the very mouth of God.

God gives life. Bread is temporary. The Word of God is not temporary.

The Word of God is eternal.

Spiritual Practice: Memorize

Choose one verse from the Word and memorize it.

In God, Deborah

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