Memorizing Scripture
Last weekend as mentioned in last Friday’s post, a couple of us girls were at a conference called New Attitude., along with 3200 other young adults from across the country. There’s so much I’d like to share but one thing that was highly encouraged throughout the conference was the practice of memorizing scripture. They had a pastor come up and recite Psalm 19. It was SO powerful to hear him share the Word with us, from memory.
Monday night Dr. John Piper, gave a message called “Fighting for Faith with God’s Word” in which he spent the entire second half of the message to showing us how to apply God’s Word to our daily life/struggles in order to fight for faith and joy. Dr. Piper is such a great example of someone who memorizes Scripture. He quoted Scripture after Scripture, not just reciting, but finding joy in speaking God’s Word. He did this with such passion! I was challenged and encouraged as I sat there listening to Dr. Piper. This man has lived his life for the Gospel. He has used God’s Word in every-day-life, struggles, preaching, encouraging others, etc. In a recent article titled Why Memorize Scripture? he highlighted 6 main reasons why we ought to memorize Scripture.
1) Conformity to Christ
2) Daily Triumph over Sin
3) Daily Triumph over Satan
4) Comfort and Counsel for People You Love
5) Communicating the Gospel to
6) Communion with God in the Enjoyment of His Person and Ways
I would highly encourage you all to take 10 minutes and read the entire article. With that I pray that you too would be challenged as I was.
My desire is to be a better steward of God’s Word. I want to know Scripture, not just be able to paraphrase bits here and there, but I’d like to be able to use the Word regularly. I want to study God’s Word intently and not just skim over it to be able to check if off my list. I want to use God’s Word to fight my sin, encourage others, share with unbelievers, but most importantly I want to memorize God’s Word forConformity to Christ.
One last thing. I’ve often times heard the analogy of comparing reading v. studying God’s Word to a speed boat v. a geared up diver in the ocean. When we read God’s Word we are like the speed boat, rushing to make it across the water with very minimal observation of what is in the water. When we study God’s Word we are like divers in the ocean, having a clearer view of what is in there; being in awe of the contents that is so easily missed when speeding across.Let’s be divers and search deep into God’s Word; studying it, memorizing it, consuming it!
“Your words were found, and I ate themand your words became to me a joyand the delight of my heart” - Jeremiah 15:16a (ESV)
Filed under: God's Word, Memorization
Beautiful. Thought provoking. A breath of fresh air. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing that, Riette. That’s the biggest thing I took away from New Attitude, that we treasure God’s Word, believe it, and talk to ourselves best when we’re hiding God’s Word in our hearts. I love how Psalm 119.9-11 sums this up: “How can I young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments. I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Piper’s message at Na was very powerful — Scripture memorization was the number one thing I took home wanting to apply better in my life. Thank you for sharing that article with us. It was very helpful and encouraging, one that I will probably be referring back to often!