On Memorizing Scripture

Memorizing verses and chapters from the Bible is a discipline that is life-changing, mood-changing, perspective-changing, meditative, leads to new passage ways for knowledge, understanding and wisdom, and yet we rarely hear about these results, and are seldom encouraged to memorize.  Though I have memorized Bible verses since I was a Kindergartner (and can still recite some of those – thank you Mrs. Leach), I think the turning point for me to grasp its import was in college when one of my “required Bible class” professors, Dr. Thompson, gave us the option to be creative, and do something besides a term paper.  After talking it over, we decided I would memorize huge chunks of Scripture (and make a slide show to explain my world view.)  I wanted his guidance, and allowed him to choose the memory work.  He surprised me, and chose several passages from Exodus and Deuteronomy.  I think my understanding of the Jewish roots of Christianity started right there.  I have since memorized many of the prayers in the New Testament, and several Psalms.  All have hugely impacted me.  Yet, my track record is not good.  I am one of many, who knows what good to do, but doesn’t consistently do it.  I hope, during this chapter of my life, with the refreshed experience of seeing the difference God is making in my life with Psalm 33 as I am dealing with cancer, will kick start-me into a regular discipline of always memorizing.

Because of my present situation, I sometimes lie in bed and over-think.  The hormone-blocker med I receive leads to some insomnia, so as tired as I may be, I’ll just lie in bed as the processing begins.  I have found it successful to stop the dark or time-wasting thoughts immediately by simply reviewing a chapter just memorized.  Being now comfortable enough with the order of the words, I can begin focusing on the meaning, stopping at a certain verse, and thinking more deeply about it.  I’ll consider how certain conversations, or passages in a recently read book will support or explain a verse.  Suddenly I’m meditating about something that is true and right, and sensing the help and shield of God during such times.

There are so many ways to read and enjoy the Scripture.   Many of the good stories in the Bible have become songs, picture books, movies, and cartoons for kids; they are highlighted in Sunday School lessons and coloring books.  They are also used as outlines for sermons and Bible lessons.  Devotional books abound in stores and online, and most guide us to read a few verses and then a lesson follows.  This is all good.  Whether we read and meditate on our own, hear a Biblically based sermon, or watch a rendering of a book of the Bible, we are getting the Word into our hearts and minds.

Yet as I think about the Bible being the inspired Word of God it gives me the chills.  These are words that hold power, influence, truth, and life.  It seems to follow that these are words we would desire to know intimately, words we would want to memorize and hold closely.  In this way, we can take our time and befriend each word and concept.  We can compare and contrast more fluently to other concepts and ideas that are presented to us.  We now have a standard of truth.  But it reaches ever more deeply inside.  We begin grasping the hope that God has called us to; we begin to realize those things that Christ most highly values – and we begin to value the same – we begin, God willing, to emulate that which we are learning.

For me this process does not happen quickly.  It is happening slowly.  It happens with conversation, experiences, disappointments and ah-ha moments of clarity.  It happens after moments of stillness, listening to the thoughts God brings, tying concepts of truth into a tapestry of wisdom.

I have finished memorizing Psalm 33 and have begun Ephesians 1.  And though I am only 8 verses in, I am grasping a few key values.  “Grace” has shown up several times: “grace and peace to you,”  “to the praise of his glorious grace, freely given to us,” “the riches of God’s grace – lavished on us.” And interspersed his shown God’s desire that we are holy and blameless, forgiven.  But we all know that we are sinners, we do sin, and God could have a very long list on each of us.  I had just memorized in Psalm 33 that God considers everything I do, and his eyes are on those whose hope is in his unfailing love. I sometimes think of the long lists I could write up about my grievances; and the lists that could be written about me. Do I respond as God has responded to me?  Do I consider what others have done, yet continue to love?  Do I look for ways to extend forgiveness; do I lavish grace on others as it has been lavished on me?

This has to be real though – not just a nice Sunday School lesson.  I would be wrong to say “I forgive” when indeed I have not taken time to really consider another’s heart, my own heart, the forgiveness I’ve experienced,  and then get to a stage of realizing that I can move on and let go – at a real level, nothing stuffed.  And in this season, as I’m trying to clean up my inner life with “recall healing,” this memory work is a blessing, as its wisdom complements the concepts of remembering, forgiving, accepting, and transcending, then leaving behind the unneeded pain and consequences of my and other’s bad actions.