My Scripture Memory Program Part 2 (The WHY)

Photo by Ryk Neethling

Yesterday I shared how the Lord used a godly older woman in my life to encourage me in the spiritual discipline of Scripture memorization. Today I wanted to show you from God's Word WHY we are to be memorizing.

It is easy to create a list of things we ought to be doing, and to go through the motions of doing them with little passion or zeal. When we understand the WHY behind something, all of a sudden the task is rich and ripe with purpose!

As I see it, here is a Scriptural case for memorizing Scripture:

• Psalm 1. The blessed man who isn't led astray by the wicked, but is prosperous in all that he does, meditates on God's Word DAY and NIGHT. It is difficult to meditate on something so constantly if you don't have it stored in your mind. I don't know about you, but practically speaking, I cannot walk around with a Bible in front of my face all day! Memorizing the Word is food for your holy meditations.

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Scripture is literally "breathed out by God"- how precious! These words have come straight from the mouth of the Lord. They are profitable for teaching us, reproving us, correcting us, and training us how to be righteous, so that we can be competent and equipped for every good work. If people memorize beautiful poems, how much more should we, the people of God, memorize the life-giving words that come straight from our Father's mouth? 

• Deuteronomy 6:2. We are called to obey the Word of God. It is hard to obey what you do not know by heart.

• Deuteronomy 6:6-9. These words are to be on our hearts, we are to teach them diligently to our children in all the ins and outs of day-to-day life, we are to keep the Word of God always before us. Memorization is the BEST way to accomplish this! Which reminds me, are you helping your children to memorize God's Word?

• Psalm 119:9. We keep our way pure, and our feet from sin when we guard our hearts with the Word of God. 

• Psalm 119:11. This is probably the strongest proof text for Scripture memorization. "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Knowing the Word of God protects us in the daily battle against sin. 

This is by no means an exhaustive list or study, just the basic framework for a biblical understanding.Psalm 119 as a whole is a wonderful text for better understanding the benefits, delights, and results of knowing God's Word. Why not carve out some time today for sitting and reading it slowly and intentionally, savoring each verse? You will be encouraged friend!

All right all you Bible Scholars ;). What have I missed? Please share Scriptures that have encouraged you in your pursuit of Scripture memory!