“Who is he who will devote himself to being close to me?” Jeremiah 30:21
I am afraid some among us resist scripture memorization because they fear it is too pious, too religious. They view it as just an external exercise for racking up Bible knowledge points.
Yes, indeed, Jesus warned the religious people against this use of Scripture:
“You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” John 5.39-40
But is resistance to religiosity a reason to throw out Scripture memorization altogether? Or can we devote ourselves to knowing Jesus and loving Jesus through memorizing His Word?
In that same speech to the legalists, Jesus also said, “You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you.” John 5.38
I want to be a church of whom can be said: “His Word dwells richly in those people!” Let us hear His voice in the Word, and let us come to know Jesus through these Scriptures that testify about Him.
Instead of resisting Scripture memorization for fear of religiosity, let us rather resist praise from men for our Scripture memorization.
Jesus said, “I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.” John 5.41-42.
I am continually praying, “Lord, help me to love your Word! Give me Word hunger. Let me draw closer to Jesus through memorizing your Word. Let me enjoy communion and fellowship with your Spirit as I quote and review the passages that I have hidden in my heart!”
Pride is always a temptation. For me, I often have reverse pride: I don’t want to share what I have learned because I am afraid people will think I am bragging or showing off. But I want to honor the Lord and lift up His Word, so I am learning to not fear men either way, whether to hide my knowledge or to display my knowledge. Let it be for the praise of God!
I want more people to love His Word and to memorize it too! I have found a treasure, and I can’t keep it to myself!!
What better model do we have than our Lord Jesus, who quoted Scripture three times in his battle against Satan during the temptation of the wilderness. How do you think Jesus had those words ready on his lips? He devoted himself to memorizing them. He was ready in the day of battle.
“The Word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.” Deuteronomy 30.14
Is His Word in our mouths? Are we letting it flow over our tongues and past out lips? Is His Word in our hearts? I know no better way than to memorize it, except of course to sing the Scripture (my favorite!!).
Pastor Bob preached a sermon Sunday about half-hearted devotion to the Lord (based on Joel 2:12-13). He unpacked what whole-hearted devotion includes, which I would like to apply to Scripture memorization:
1. Volitional--a return to the Lord. By an act of our will and to show our whole-hearted devotion, let us continually make the decision to do it, whether one verse a day, one verse a week, one verse a month, or even one verse a year! Whenever I fail, I just return to the Lord and repent, crying out, “Please make me hungry for your Word! Please forgive my half-hearted devotion to your Word, and restore to me the joy of your salvation!”
2. Emotional--this is not just a mental exercise. It is a form of worship involving our hearts and souls. Remember Jesus said of the Scripture-quoting Pharisees: “you refuse to come to me to have life” and “you do not have the love of God in your hearts.” (John 5:40 & 42). LIFE! LOVE! These are not just intellectual disciplines, but Spirit-filled fruitful acts of worship. Come to JESUS through his Word. Ask the Spirit to bring life to every verse you memorize. Cry out for love for Jesus through His Word, and let your time in quoting and reviewing and hiding His Word in your heart be a sweet time of fellowship and communion of your soul with His Spirit!
3. Personal--I like to make scripture memory personal through prayer and of course living it! Janet Pope, an author of one of my favorite books on memorizing Scripture said in answer to the question: “What is the hardest part about memorizing Scripture”.....Answer: “Living it!” Yes, and amen! So I pray the Scripture back to God, and I make that my prayer for my life.
For example, this month I was working hard to memorize 1 John 4. I said it over and over, I practiced and I worked, even as I listened to sermons to make my understanding more rich. But I could NOT get it smooth! It was hard for me to straighten out all of John’s “live in him....he in them...he in us....live in love...live in God...” It was going in circles and I needed help!
So I asked God, “Lord, help me understand. Help me to see wonderful things in your Word. Let me love 1 John 4. Let 1 John 4 become part of my life--let me abide in you, and be loving like you are loving.”
I have never learned a Scripture better than when I have put it to song! I asked the Sprit for a song, and he gave me one! I will share it with you in hopes that you are encouraged to meditate on His Word day and night until songs of love spring up within you!
Listen to my Song on 1 John 4
Memorizing Scripture is not a commandment, but it is a gift. If you don’t memorize, ask the Lord to search your heart to know why. Is it because you fear being religious or pious, because in that case we would not want to pray or give or fast (see Matthew 6). Let us ask God for right motivation and devotion to see Jesus through the discipline. Is it because it is too difficult? Start simply and faithfully, and see what the Lord does (and feel free to ask me for ideas). Is it because you don’t see value in it? Consider Psalm 19.
“Who is he who will devote himself to being close to me?” Jeremiah 30:21
