The Pay-Off for Memorizing?

When we memorize Scripture, we make it available to the Spirit to bring it to our minds--especially for prayer and praise--but there are additional benefits. The Psalmist said, "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (119:11). There is nothing better to keep us from sinning than God's Word. Even Jesus overcame temptation through memorized Scripture. (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10).

The best way to make a verse come alive in our spirits is to memorize it. As we go through the day reflecting on it, the Holy Spirit helps us understand what it means. "Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all of this" (2 Tim. 2:7). When we've tucked His words into the inner recesses of our heart, just at the moment when we need a promise or a command, God's word comes to mind. We'll gain understanding--practical knowledge of how to put it into practice.

One day while walking through our bedroom, I noticed the clutter piled on the dresser. God chose that moment to remind me of the verse I had been memorizing in Ephesians 5: "Be imitators of God." The Spirit seemed to whisper, "If I were keeping house here, I wouldn't have that clutter. I'm a God of order. If you want to imitate Me, be a woman of order."

Suddenly I found motivation to clean, and forty-five minutes later our bedroom was ready for Jesus' inspection.

Such moments provide a real pay-off for memorizing. God invites us to hide His Word in our hearts so we can carry it with us through the day and let it live in us. Memorized words are more than words we can quote. They're words we hear in our spirit and learn to obey.

Thank You, Jesus that as we obey, we're filled with joy--the very purpose You gave for Your words.
"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete" (John 15:11).