Memorizing the Scriptures
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Born in to a Christian home, and also raised in church since birth. I attended a Christian school from kindergarten all the way through secondary school. And I’m sure there may be a few of you also just like me. I’m sure some of you who are reading this were raised in church or attended Christian schools, and so you may relate memorizing Scripture to Sunday school or Bible class.
You may also equate Scripture memorization with getting a reward or prize after a competition, but today, I hope I can show you that this practice has a much greater impact than you realize. If that’s not you, I hope what you read today is able to show just how valuable, powerful, and truly life-altering Scripture memorization is.
What’s the point of memorizing Scripture? In Psalm 119:11 (NIV), David says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” The Hebrew word for “hidden” is ṣāp̄antî. It means “to store up, to store up as one does with treasure, to hoard, cache, or reserve.” When you think of this word, think of squirrels, beavers, or ravens who store up food for the winter months. Think about how many, people went and bought 5,000 rolls of toilet paper and barrels full of hand sanitizer when the Coronavirus pandemic and the shut-downs associated with it began. The implication is of one storing up something extremely valuable for the moments when a need arises, kind of like when someone puts money into a savings account, insurance savings account.
Friends, when we memorize Scripture, we’re not just memorizing words from a book, we’re inscribing the living, active, searching, and sanctifying voice of our Creator and Redeemer directly into our soul. We’re reserving the greatest treasure in all the world in the vault of our minds. We’re storing up what Peter called the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68 NIV) in the pantry of our heart.
Memorizing Scripture is an exercise in storing up an arsenal of weapons for the Spirit’s use. It gives the Holy Spirit fuel to recall truth in moments of need and ministry.
