“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

I came across this verse in a devotion yesterday and thought it would be good to share with you, since yesterday was about memorizing Bible passages. I like that thought of ‘hiding’ God’s Word in your heart, because when you memorize it, that helps you break patterns of sin in your life and mature in your faith.

I read in a devotion from Rick Warren recently a few simple steps you and I can follow to help start memorizing God’s Word. First, pick a verse that speaks to you. Don’t just choose a verse because you think you should memorize it. Memorize it because you want to; because you believe it has relevance with you and will make a difference in your life.

Next, say the Scripture reference out loud before and after the text. Sometimes the reference is the hardest thing to remember, so by saying it out loud before and after the verse, it becomes easier to remember. Next, read the verse aloud, and read it many times. Many people remember what they say, not what they read. As you say a verse aloud, you’re recording it in your mind. Next, memorize it exactly. Don’t try to create your own verse of the Scripture before you learn it. Learn it as it is in the Bible.

And finally, start by memorizing one verse a week if you are able. In time you may be able to learn two verses a week, but start slowly. As I mentioned in a previous devotional, if you memorize one verse a week, you will memorize 52 verses in a year!

Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.

May God be with you,

Jay