By F. D. Adkins
Now that I am into January, I woke up this morning self-assessing. What can I do differently to strengthen my walk with God? One of my children asked me a question about scripture the other day which made me notice an area that I have been very slack. Even though I read my Bible daily, I realized that I no longer stop and take time to memorize scripture. So, guess what my goal is for 2022. You got it. I want not only to study my Bible, but I want to work to commit God’s word to memory.
Why is it important to memorize scripture?
- Jesus quoted scripture. If I am trying to be more like Jesus, then I need to be able to quote scripture from memory. According to a study by Harold Wilmington at Liberty University, Jesus either quotes or alludes to the Old Testament 180 times in the four Gospels (Wilmington).
- Scripture is armor against the devil’s attacks. Ephesians 6:17 specifically details that the Word of God is part of our armor. “…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 KJV).
- If I want to share the Gospel with others, I need to be prepared to quote the Word of God. I need to be able to direct others to the scripture that would answer their questions. The Bible says that we need to be prepared to answer questions about the reason for our hope. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Peter 3:15 KJV).
- If God’s words are written in my heart and in my mind, I will be prosperous. And by prosperous, I mean that if I can recall God’s exact words anywhere and at any time, I can remind myself anywhere and anytime of God’s promises. I can be filled with that joy that comes despite circumstances. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8 KJV).
I normally workout Monday through Friday mornings, but because I was feeling under the weather, I had to skip last week. When I went back to my workout on Monday, I was surprised at just how hard it was. One would not think that after only a week, I would lose endurance, and along with it, the mindset to complete a workout that I have done for years. As I pondered on this, I realized that this is the same concept as spending daily time with God. It only takes a couple of times missing that personal daily time with our Father for the enemy to stick his foot in the door and rework the schedule. So, for me, as I seek to refocus, re-energize, and renew my walk with God, I know that I must, no matter what, make spending time with God my first priority each morning before anything else.
Theodore Roosevelt said,
“A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education.” (Brainy Quote)
My verses for memorization this week:
Sources:
Roosevelt, Theodore. Brainy Quote, www.brainyquote.com/quotes/theodore_roosevelt_147900. Accessed 11 Jan. 2022.
Willmington, Harold, “Old Testament Passages Quoted by Jesus Christ” (2017). The Second Person File. 71, digitalcommons.liberty.edu/second_person/71
