“I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word” (Psa. 119:14-16).
The Bible regularly commends the spiritual habit of memorizing and meditating on Scripture (Psa. 119:97; Phil. 4:8). It’s not just for little kids’ Bible classes. “Meditate” (Heb. siyach) means “mutter, ponder, muse” (Brown-Driver-Briggs). The idea is someone repeating something under their breath over and over again. Memorizing Scripture makes it portable wherever we go in life.
Jesus overcame Satan’s temptations by saying, “It is written…” (Matt. 4:4, 8, 11). This memorized knowledge of Scripture empowered Him to quote the right Scripture to deflect and defeat each specific temptation.
In fact, words of Scripture saturated the mind of Jesus, because He cited memorized Scriptures throughout His ministry. “The Scriptures must be fulfilled…” (Matt. 26:54, Mk. 14:49, Lk. 24:44).
Even when dying in the agony of crucifixion, the words of Scripture arose from His heart (Mk. 15:34, Lk 23:46). “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, `I thirst!’” (Jn. 19:28; cf. Psa 69:21, 22:15). What’s on the inside comes out under pressure.
So, memorizing Scripture is a way Jesus overcame the world.
Here’s the 7 day memory challenge: memorize 1 verse of Scripture every day for a week (which takes 2 minutes of concentrated, disciplined reading, reciting and remembering). I am confident you will notice some benefit after 7 days of this consistent, concentrated spiritual discipline.
Here are some sample verses to help you get started for your 7 day Scripture memory challenge to help you “overcome” challenge we face:
John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
1 John 4:4 – “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
1 John 5:4-5 – “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”
John 8:12 – “Jesus spoke to them, saying, `I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
John 14:23 – “Jesus answered and said to him, `If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’”
John 17:16-17 – “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”
Rev. 12:11 – “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.”
I encourage you to take the 7 day Scripture memorization challenge. Reading and reciting relevant Scriptures by heart will empower your spiritual life! The Bible guarantees it (Psa 1:2-3)!
Similar Posts:
- The New Testament Preserved / June 3, 2010 / Frank Walton
- Interpreting The Book Of Revelation / March 12, 2009 / Todd Stickler
- The Good Book / March 2, 2009 / Todd Stickler
