As part of the Bible study I'm teaching on Psalm 23, we are memorizing Psalm 23. So for the next six weeks, we'll be memorizing a verse a week.
As I explained what we'd be doing to the women at church, I offered a reminder of WHY we memorize Scripture. I want to know WHY I should take the time and make the effort!
1. We memorize for our GOOD.
Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that the plans God has for us are good. For our hope. For our future. Memorizing Scripture is good for us!
2. We memorize for our PROTECTION.
Psalm 119:11 says we hide God's Word in our hearts to protect us from sin.
3. We memorize for our TRANSFORMATION.
Romans 12:2 says that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. As we fill our minds with God's Word, it changes how we think. It gives us new thoughts to think and changes who we are and how we behave.
4. We memorize to be PREPARED, to be READY to deal with temptation.
When Jesus was tempted in the desert in Matthew 4, it was the Word of God that enabled him to deal with temptation. "It is written" is how he began his response to Satan. He knew it. He didn't have to go look it up or search for something to apply. God's Word was written on his heart and readily available. He was prepared to deal with temptation.
5. We memorize to OBEY.
Colossians 3:16 says that we are to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly. John 15:7 says that we are to remain in Christ and that his words are to remain in us. Memorizing Scripture is God's will for his people!
"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Psalm 23:1
What are you learning this week?
Leave a link or type your verse in the comments. If you want to join in, click on the button in the sidebar on the right.
I love your list of reasons to memorize! Thanks for helping us stay motivated.
Here is my verse this week:
http://lisanotes.blogspot.com/2010/03/take-your-medsproverbs-17-memory-monday.html
Posted by: Lisa notes... | March 29, 2010 at 06:42 AM
Thanks for the reminders!
http://cwperez.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/mm-love-one-another-1-john-311-15/
Posted by: Caroline | March 29, 2010 at 08:35 AM
I printed the verses and why we memorize God's word today and will use them for homeschool with Lauren. THanks so much.
By the way--maybe it was a divine typo: You can have loads of the Lord in your life, but unless you are LIVING, no one will ever know.
Amy McLean
PS It is over 70degrees here today!
Posted by: Amy | March 30, 2010 at 01:09 PM
Good reasons to stay on track!
http://wonbyone92.blogspot.com/2010/03/memory-monday_30.html
Posted by: Tammy | March 30, 2010 at 01:10 PM
I'm days late, but I wanted to still link up. Thanks! http://www.discoveringliz.com/2010/03/memory-monday-psalm-1828.html
Posted by: Liz | March 31, 2010 at 01:59 PM