|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "To God Be The Glory"1 (Lyrics) |
Psalm 119:11 – Your word I have treasured and stored in my heart, that I may not sin against You. (AMP)
Recently, I purchased a book with a title that included Bible verses to "know by heart". That phrase, to "know by heart" jumped out at me. I wondered what important things I actually do know by heart. I have many hidden helps in my head — among them my social security numbers, my medical patient IDs, passwords for online access to bank accounts, and the directions to find my home. All these bits of information, and more, are necessary for me to manage life on a regular basis.
As children, we may have experienced various ways of learning. Remember flash cards? They helped us to recognize many things by looking often at them. Frequent repetition is a proven method of learning. Singing the alphabet song is often a proud accomplishment for toddlers. The rote memorization of times tables was a useful tool long into my adulthood before a calculator was on my cell phone. Playing piano exercises over and over taught my fingers how to find the keys and work together. All of this repetition takes time, effort, and dedication. God designed our brains to lay down pathways to use in this way. This dedication results in storing resources within us. Our hearts work this way, too.
Long ago, an acquaintance encouraged me to begin a method of Bible memorization using small printed cards with Bible verses that were kept in a handy little pocket packet. I was to use bits of time to review and repeat the verses over and over until they could be recalled without looking at the cards. By using both idle time and concentrated time, I discovered that the verses began to store up in my mind and then in my heart. There are times even now in my old age when one of those verses will come to mind in a moment of life. It will remind me of God's truth, and instruct, encourage, or correct me. The Holy Spirit flashes those words before the eyes of my heart to remind me of God's eternal truths and to help me to be obedient to them. They are passwords into a full life!
Psalm 119:9 – Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (KJV)
Matthew 4:4 – Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (NIV)
Psalm 119:114 – You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope. (NLT)
Today, even as an older person, I want to "take heed" and review and refresh these verses in my memory bank in the same way as I might open up a storage box and look through it to remind myself of what is in there. What verses are in your set of flash cards? Can you recall what is there? Maybe it's time for some review, and time to store away some newly found verses, as well. I'm sure that it will be a refreshing exercise for our hearts.
Prayer: Our Father, holy is Your name. Thank You for Your Word. Forgive us for our frequent inattention to Your Word. Help us, Your beloved children, to be more diligent in continuing to memorize Your Word in our hearts. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Thursday, November 30, 2023 – In Barrie, Ontario — Pray for the youth groups and youth ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Barrie, Ontario, that the fun and fellowship may build up faith, and lead to new believers in Jesus Christ.
Cancer-Margaret: "Update November 28, 2023; Margaret says she is still quite tired but okay. She thanks us all for..." 
Upcomin Chemo treatments cancelled: "Update November 28, 2023: Yesterday both my husband "A" and I "J" tested..." 
A good reminder, Sharon.
Thank you, Sharon,
Wonderful devotional!
Thank you, Sharon, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us.
Blessings.
John 3:16 is the heart of the Christian message – Love God and love your neighbor.
Amen Sharon. When l can’t sleep at night, l try and repeat as many verses as l can.
This is an excellent reminder to read God’s word frequently and thoughtfully, Sharon. In this way, the seeds of His words to us will sink deep into the soil of our heart.
Thank you, Sharon, for your many daily devotions. You have been writing devotions for quite some time and I always appreciate your words. May you continue to be blessed by God in good health.
God bless those teachers both in Sunday School and Public School that included memory work in their curriculum. I feel it has served me well all my life. I also feel that it may very well help my aging mind.
Thanks, Sharon, for your good and very encouraging words today. It took me back to my Sunday School days when we were given a scripture to memorize and be prepared to stand up the next Sunday and repeat it to the congregation. Amazing that today I still remember some of those verses and they are precious guidance to my day. The words of our Lord are certainly words of value. Blessings for your writings.
Good morning, Sharon,
I love your message and I like that you refer to Bible verses that we know are “passwords to the heart”. I am sure you will inspire others to learn a few more Bible verses to use in difficult times to draw God closer, to offer us comfort, to remind us of what we should do, and to provide hope.
Thanks for sharing an important part of your faith journey. Blessings.
Sharon, I just love your catchy title for today’s devotional. How very appropriate!
Thanks for the gentle nudge to get out the set of little cards of Scripture verses that have been sitting idle for too long.
When my late husband and I led the choirs at our church, we loved sharing Scripture through song. What blessings God gives us when we hide His word in our hearts. When various verses are read, I automatically hear the song in my head. What treasures and “passwords into a full life!”
Thanks for the reminder!
Hi Sharon. Thanks for today’s meditation. All my life I have struggled with memory loss. I cannot keep details in my brain. They fall out the holes like so much Swiss cheese. As a result, school and university were challenges I could barely achieve. I do a daily devotional that includes reciting the 23rd psalm and the Lord’s prayer before asking God to speak to me and I will listen. As a member of the United Church of Canada I believe that we should be able to recite our Creed from heart. If we believe it, we should know it. I set it to music and recorded it on a cd with my band. Now when I recite it, I sing it in my mind as I say the words. Just another way to remember what’s important. All the best.
Dear Sharon,
Thanks so very much for your devotional this morning.
I was very privileged to grow up going to churches where memorization of Bible verses was very important. I have thanked the Lord many times for all the verses and references that come to mind when I need them. I am praying that your devotional will inspire many more readers to begin (or continue this habit) and pass on this information to their children and grandchildren. As we get older it’s much more difficult to memorize but not quite impossible with God’s help. And as you said, God brings to mind certain verses just when we need them.
I have enjoyed your Devotionals. Please keep writing and sharing your insights with us.
May God’s best be yours today and always.
Thanks, Sharon. For me, it’s the scripture set to songs that keep coming into my head. Thank goodness for music, which is a good memory aid.