Devotional
In a world full of conflicting opinions and ideas, where everyone is right in their own eyes, it’s a joy for believers to have God’s Word. The Word comes to us as the final authority — what a privilege that is!
The psalmist says God’s Word is sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold. It is a treasure for those who bind them upon their hearts.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105)
It is not wrong to aim for happiness, health, wealth, and to live life in peace. But most of us are deceived, in that, our means and methods to those ends are wrong. True happiness is a result of knowing the truth. “…and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32).
The Word of God sets the reality for us in this world of lies. It is the armour of God that prevents us from being deceived by this passing age and its desires.
Having God’s Word stored in the heart makes one’s nature obedient to the Lord
When the Word of God is bound upon our hearts, the Holy Spirit will further use it to renew our minds and transform our ways. It is then that we are able to discern God’s will. When we are tempted to murmur, the Scripture that we have bound upon our heart will prove effective to wait on God.
“The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip” (Psalm 37:31)
Maybe we read Scripture regularly. But do we memorise any of it? Are we intentional about Scripture memorisation as a part of our quiet time routine?
Having God’s Word stored in the heart makes one’s nature obedient to the Lord. It helps us make wise choices. It’s a worthwhile practice, whatever our age.
Reciting Scripture can also bring calm to troubled minds. Mental health struggles are on the rise today — and professional help is sometimes necessary to deal with them. But ultimately, it is God’s Word that can relieve stress and confusion. This is why Jesus promised us the Holy Spirit as a helper in our walk of faith (John 14:16). It is the Spirit who guides us into all truth — i.e. the truth in God’s Word.
As humans, we are prone to mistakes. Sometimes, the devil succeeds in distracting us from God. His ploy is to keep us away from the Word and prayer. He may use our work, household chores, or something that seems unavoidable as a means to his end.
Scripture calls us to renounce worldly passions and live self-controlled lives in the present age (Titus 2:12). Scripture memorisation can help us to hold on to God’s Word and His promises when we get deviated.
There seems to be a success formula for everything in the world. For the Christian, memorising Scripture is a solid tool for growth in our lives. Nothing can bring the true Christian as much joy and peace as digging deep into Scripture can.
Parents can greatly influence their children when they make Scripture memorisation a part of their routine. The Word they memorise will guide them on their path (Proverbs 22:6).
We know how this practice influenced Timothy’s later years, as he served God diligently. “…and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15).
For the Christian, memorising Scripture is a solid tool for growth in our lives
That is a reflection of Eunice and Lois — his mother and grandmother — as good examples of bringing up a child in God’s Word. John Newton, who grew up memorising Scripture, is another fruit of godly motherhood. The list goes on.
It is a precious calling to sharpen children in the Word and bring them up in the admonition of the Lord. They are like arrows in a warrior’s hand (Psalm 127:4). In his series ‘Christian men and their godly moms’, Tim Challies writes:
“Though in process of time, I sinned away all the advantages of these early impressions, yet they were for a great while a restraint upon me; they returned again and again, and it was very long before I could wholly shake them off; and when the Lord at length opened my eyes, I found a great benefit from the recollection of them.” Elizabeth, he said, had “stored my memory, which was then very retentive, with many valuable pieces, chapters and portions of scripture, catechisms, hymns, and poems.”
The Greek word for “disciple” is “mathitís”, which generally means, “one who engages in learning through instruction from another”. Likewise, a disciple of Jesus Christ is one who learns the doctrines of grace; someone catechised with proper instruction from the Bible with necessary follow-through.
May we also strive to learn the Word and, in doing so, glorify Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. Let us be filled with the oil in our lamps as we wait for Christ’s glorious return.
Jeniffer Samson is a happy stay-at-home mom of two kids. Her desire is to see her kids know Jesus as their Saviour, nurtured in God's word. She loves reading theology and getting deep into Scripture.
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