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In this past year God has led me to do more Bible memorization. It isn’t just for children and new Christians. Unfortunately, we live in days where many people do not know God’s Words well at all, even among those of us who should. I found something in my grandma’s car a while back about memorizing Scripture, from which some of these points are coming. The rest I have found to be true just by getting into God’s Word.

Memorizing Scripture something we should do. The better we know it, the more readily it can come to mind when we need it. The more we purposefully think about it, the deeper we can delve into it. The more of God’s Words that we know, the easier it is to hear and to discern His voice. The more of God’s Word we know, the more readily we will obey Him (Psalm 119:11).

In the Old Testament (in many places, but specifically Deuteronomy 6 for now), God told His people to write His commandments down and to talk about them, to rehearse them, very frequently. They were to teach them to their children, which they could not do unless they knew them. They were to talk about these words at various points throughout the day, and have them in easily accessible places. They were to do this so the words would always be in their hearts and keep them from forgetting God and His goodness. They were to do this so it would go well with them.

While this was commanded to the children of Israel, the same principle applies to us. God wrote His Word to tell us very important things, so we would be fools not to read it and keep it fresh in our minds (Psalm 12:6-7). It is to help us obey Him, and to keep us from forgetting who He is and what He has done.

In the New Testament, we find the apostles and Jesus Himself quoting Scripture from memory all the time. In the letters written to the churches, references to Scriptures were written in such a way that it makes me think just about everyone knew them.

In addition to just knowing what God says, we are fighting a spiritual war here. You can’t fight unless you know how to use a sword, and you can’t use a sword well without constantly practicing and honing your skill! (Ephesians 6:17b and Hebrews 4:12)

Whether I’m good at memorizing or not, it doesn’t matter. It’s okay to pick this up slower than I’d like. Like many things in life, I’ll get better at it the more I do it. I’m not where I’d like to be. Many times I can remember what the Bible says, but not word for word, or even where to find it. I need to get better at it, and I will do so with God’s help.

I need to study this textbook so I am prepared for the tests of life. I need to learn how to wield this sword so I may fight the battles of life. I need to know this letter so I may better know the One who loves me.