Memorising Scripture
On not taking the availability of God's word for granted.
God is continually reaching out to me through His word. He reminds me again and again to meditate on it, to study it, and to seek to understand it. Although my intention most days is to do this, I am reliant on His enabling grace to keep me returning to scripture daily. These days, I find myself increasingly grateful for the many ways I have access to the Bible. Living in the UK affords me the (current) privilege of easily accessing God’s word in print ( I can walk into most book shops or search online and pick from a plethora of Bibles) , I have quick access to numerous podcasts or theatrical audio presentations. I can lounge at home and listen to scripture accompanied by atmospheric orchestral music. I can write out the words of scripture freely and place it boldly around my home. I can share and discuss scripture in depth with my Christian friends, without fear of being reported to a hostile authority who may then imprison or even torture me in response.
This open access to God’s holy word is truly an undeserved blessing, and I would do well to remember this is not the reality for my brothers and sisters in places such as Pakistan, Iran and Nigeria. For these precious believers, treasuring and memorising scripture is a matter of life and death. What I fail to remember, in the relative ease of scripture accessibility I live in—it is also a matter of life and death for me spiritually.
“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me. If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” ( John 15: 3-6 CSB)
These are strong words straight from the Lord Jesus’s mouth. There may be other ways to remain in Him, but I cannot think of any other means more effective than remaining in His word through scripture, committing it to memory, and nurturing it in our hearts.
I have noticed an emphasis lately on the necessity of memorising scripture in the body of Christ. It could be argued that this is not a new emphasis, but I am definitely aware of new resources and discourse around this topic increasing. One of my key verses for this year has been Colossians 3:16:
‘Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.’ (CSB)
I can’t help but wonder if God is trying to prepare us for a time, especially in Western nations when The Bible may be more difficult to access. There will be a time when people will not endure sound teaching (2 Timothy 4:3) …which may inevitably lead to persecution of the source of sound doctrine. This can already be witnessed in the public square. We must not take for granted the wonderful, life-giving daily access we have to the Bible. It is not just grand historic literature, it is filled to the brim with the revealed heart of God— Holy Spirit filled words with power to become living and active in our lives (Hebrews 4:12). The words He spoke to us through the Apostles and Prophets are spirit and life (John 6:63). Without them, and without Him we can do nothing.
Accessibility aside, God may simply be seeking to strengthen His people.
Encouraging us to memorise scripture with the aim of growing and maturing us as believers. Imploring us to hide scripture in our hearts so that we might not sin against Him. Beckoning us to dwell in the secret place of the Most High and abide in the shadow of the Almighty. Calling us to fix our eyes on Him, to set our minds on things above, to sow to the Spirit and not the flesh. Memorising scripture is one way we can delight ourselves in the Lord and allow His luminous word to dwell in us richly.
‘Yet once more, we leave this point, let us stop and consider the merciful nature of God in having written us a Bible at all. He might have left us without it, to grope our dark way, as blind men seek the wall; He might have suffered us to wander on with the star of reason as our only guide. Supposing the light of nature to be sufficient, we had better have a little light from above too, and then we shall be sure to be right. Better have two lights than only one. The light of creation is a bright light. God may be seen in the stars; His name is written in gilt letters on the brow of night; you may discover His glory in the ocean waves, yea, in the trees of the field, but it is better to read it in two books than in one. You will find it here more clearly revealed, for He has given you the key to understand it, if you have the Holy Spirit. Ah, beloved, let us thank God for this Bible; let us love it. Let us count it more precious than much fine gold.’
(Charles .H. Spurgeon from ‘Spurgeon on the Power of Scripture’ p.92)
Here are a few resources which I have found helpful recently ( some I plan to read soon!)
Books
YouTube
Podcasts
There are so many other resources out there to aid us in memorising scripture. Please share any more you have found helpful in the comments below—The more the merrier!
Maybe ask believing friends and family members on a regular basis what scriptures are encouraging them? what scriptures they are committing to memory? or how scripture is forming their hearts? We can hold each other accountable in love.
‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.’ (Luke 12:34)
Thank you for sharing, Ishah! Great reminder, exhortation, and share of resources :)
This is a great collection of resources Ishah!! Ever since reading Glenna’s book I’ve been working on my habit of memorizing scripture and it’s a blessing to see how God uses his word to shape my thoughts and interactions because of it. Thanks again for sharing!