our daily journey: Voice and Verse

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Occasionally, my mother’s voice invades my day— from inside my head. I can still hear her say, “Try not to borrow trouble from tomorrow,” and even “Remember to take a jacket.” Sometimes her tone and words come skidding out of my mouth when I’m disciplining my kids! At other times—thankfully—Bible verses occur to me as she would say them. She could (and still can) recite Scripture with as much certainty as I can say my name and address.

My mother learned the meaty, cornerstone verses that define her faith in Christ. Often, she and my father quoted these Scriptures to people who were peddling false teaching. Her example reminds me of this verse: “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15). There’s no better way to clarify what we believe than to have God’s words imprinted in our minds and ready to leave our lips.

Memorizing Bible verses can help us present God’s truth to others, and it can work within us as well. Since “all Scripture is . . . useful to teach us what is true” (2 Timothy 3:16), committing it to memory helps us fight off incorrect thinking that can lead to sin: I have to impress those people. Happiness is more important than holiness. It’s wrong only if someone gets hurt. These lies can’t survive where God’s truth is present. As the psalm writer said, hiding God’s Word in our hearts prevents us from sinning against Him (Psalm 119:11).

These days, the Bible is more accessible than ever— both in print and online. Because it is often at our fingertips, we may overlook our need to internalize it. Why not consider finding a verse or phrase to memorize. Invite God’s voice to speak to you and through you by the power of His Word. —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Read: Psalm 119:1-16
I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You (v.11).

More: Read Matthew 4:1-11 to see how Jesus quoted Scripture to battle temptation. Read Psalm 119:7-11 to see how “the rules” we find in God’s Word can guide our behavior.

Next: If you went to a place where God’s Word was not allowed in written format, how much of it would you be able to bring with you in your heart? Why is the memorization of God’s Word something that can be life-changing?