Do I memorize the scriptures?But I’m not a kid anymore. Besides, I teach kids now. I teach; Learn?. While these may not really be the words of adult Christians, these feelings can represent the attitude of many, who have not memorized specific biblical texts for years (or perhaps never).
However, for a true disciple of Christ, who really wants to be like Christ, the memorization of the scriptures is a vital discipline. If you memorized the scriptures as a child, you probably learned Psalm 119. 11: “I keep your words in my heart, so that you may not sin against you. “Psalm 119 is not only the longest chapter in the Bible, but is also marked by remarkable stylistic features. The Hebrew poem is divided into twenty-two stanzas, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The verse of a stanza begins with a specific letter. This alphabetical structure was a resource for memorization.
- Not only for its extent and literary form.
- This psalm is remarkable.
- But also for its elevated theme.
- From start to finish.
- Each verse speaks of the Word of God.
- The stanza Beth begins: “How can the young man keep his path pure??” Watch it according to your word ?.
- (v.
- 9).
- The stanza ends: “I will meditate on your precepts and respect your ways.
- I will welcome your decrees.
- Will I not forget your word?”(V.
- 15.
- 16).
- The key to avoiding and escaping the traps of our soul’s enemy is knowing the Word.
- Meditating on the Word.
- And remembering it.
- In the midst of these instructions is the biblical mandate to memorize it.
One of the sacred tasks of a Jewish father was to familiarize his son with the Torah (from Genesis to Deuteronomy) and to emphasize the importance of memorizing precisely what God had said (Dt 6,4-7). Thus, the Law would be recited in the child’s ears from its earliest days, and the main passages would be repeated several times. Since most houses were too poor to possess their own collection of Old Testament scrolls, the culture of memory was essential. .
Anyone who memorizes the scriptures will gain many benefits. Above all, it is the help of the scriptures to resist Satan’s temptations. Is Jesus’ answer written? Each of the temptations of the adversary in the wilderness is the greatest illustration of this (Mt 4. 4 , 7, 10); In addition, the scriptures written on the tables of the heart are there to meditate throughout the day (Ps 119:97), which helps to renew our spirits, so that our thought may be shaped by the Word that inhabits us (Rom 12. 2; 2Co 10. 5). The truth of God kept in the heart will come to mind more quickly in decision-making, counsel, testimony, teaching, etc. When we are surrounded by doubt and depression, God’s reserve the truth preserved in our hearts will be a sure and secure anchor for our restless ark.
So don’t wait any longer. Choose a worm (or passage). Remember that regularly, tell someone about it. Learn the Word, not to show off, but to live it and for Christ to be seen in you.