Devotional: October 2007

Hiding God’s Word

As a child I memorized Scripture like crazy in children’s programs and Christian school.  As I got older, I sort of dropped that habit, because there was no prize for saying the most verses and no demerits for not learning them!  In recent years, though, I have realized it is more important than ever to learn Scripture.  It is a key to victory in my life! 

David said in Psalm 119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  But how in the world can memorizing Scripture prevent sin in our lives?  That sounds way too simple. 

Here’s how it works.  We are born with a strong sin nature in us.  Romans 12:2 states that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  We need to have our minds reprogrammed to God’s way of thinking.  How do we do that?  By the Word of God! 

It may seem like an impossibility to add memorizing Scripture to your already busy schedule.  But you can start with one verse.  Just pick a verse that applies to your situation right now, work on memorizing it, and then choose a time that you will quote it.  It may be while you are on your way to work, exercising, cooking dinner, on your way to school or any time you think about it.  Before you know it, you will have several verses memorized and they will cross your mind as situations come up that those verses apply to.  And it will encourage you to learn more. 

Let me share with you one way that I have applied this in my life.  Awhile back, I was getting ready to work out and I was dreading it.  So I decided to kill two birds with one stone.  I could renew my mind while exercising my body.  So as I kicked and punched my way through the next half-hour, I quoted Scripture the entire time!  Actually I shouted it a lot of the time.  It’s a good thing Matthew wasn’t home; he would have thought I was nuts!  But that time went by so fast, because God’s Word began to encourage and energize me and before I knew it, my half-hour was up.  I had not only exercised, but I felt much better about the day ahead of me. 

There may not be prizes for me as I memorize Scripture as an adult, but the rewards in my life are great.  The Word of God is the answer to every question and the solution to every problem we face.  I challenge you to try it and watch it begin to work in your life.    

Sonya