Internalizing the Word
The challenge had been laid down. My dad said he wanted us to memorize one hundred verses over the year. I was 11. One hundred verses seemed daunting, and I wondered how I’d ever do it. But since our church was celebrating 100 years, part of the challenge to the congregation was to take in and memorize 100 verses.
One of the great privileges of growing up in a Christian home was the modeling, encouragement, and practice of spiritual disciplines as a family. It was a simple routine: after supper, dad would pull out his Bible and get us to repeat one phrase at a time.
The simple modeling of how to memorize Scripture helped me. Waking up early, I’d find my father shaving in front of the bathroom mirror with 3x5 cards, typed verses on them which he’d recite in the flowery old English of the King James Version.
For memorizing Scripture, Dad would give a financial reward - a future reward: Canada Savings Bonds.
I learned from my father’s example that the Word of Christ needs to dwell in us richly (Col 3:16). Either the Book would keep us from sin, or sin would keep us from the Book. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts was one of the key tools to help us not sin against the Lord (Ps. 119:11). Meditating primarily happened through the memorization of the Word, and meditation would bring about delight in the Lord (Ps. 1:2).
I learned the practical value of memorizing Scripture. I found verses coming to my mind throughout my life when I was faced with temptation. Verses provided wisdom, direction, and counsel. Even when I sinned, the Word came to mind, convicting me. There is immense value in memorizing Scripture. It’s a long-term investment that provides counsel (Ps. 119:24), gives you weapons to fight the fight of faith (Eph. 6:17), and may just reward you in ways you never expected!
For me, the rewards of Scripture memory paid off in a way I never expected. Those mature Canada Savings Bonds were cashed in when I purchased a ring and asked a young woman to be my wife!!!
So pick up your Bible. Go phrase by phrase through a passage. And let the Word of Christ dwell richly in you!
