"I am not a child. I don't have to learn memory verses."
I am happy to report that this one was not said anywhere I have been a member of the Lord's body, at least that I know of. It was reported to me by a reader. Evidently, the preacher or Bible class teacher had asked everyone to memorize a verse each week. One member was not happy about this and expressed that unhappiness with the comment above.
I do recognize that as we age, memory becomes more of an issue. But despite that, how many things have you committed to memory anyway? Your address, your land line number, your cell number, your office number, your social security number, your date of birth, perhaps a safe combination, various passwords, all of which have become much more complicated by adding symbols and numbers, your security code for the alarm system, the entrance code if you live in a gated community, maybe even a credit card number. Need I list more?
So what kind of examples do we have in the Bible? The apostles remembered Jesus' words (Luke 24:8; John 2:22; John 15:22; Acts 11:26; Acts 20:35). Joshua told the Israelites to remember Moses's words (Josh 1:13). In fact, to this day, traditional Jews still recite at least a portion of the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, daily. Their rabbis recite that plus Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41 twice a day. The Psalmist meditated on the Word of God (Psalm 119:48, 97). How could he meditate on something all day long that he had not committed to memory, at least the gist of? And why did he want to meditate on it? Because he loved the Law of God enough to do so (Psalm 119:127, 159, 165, 167).
Notice: none of those people were children. They were all adults who understood the importance of having God's Word spring instantly to their lips when they needed it. They had enough love for the Word of God that they studied it constantly, and thought about it while they lived their daily lives. The apostles were even able to recall a verse from the thousands in the Old Testament whenever an event in Jesus' life reminded them of it (e.g., John 2:16,17).
Unlike those people from so long ago, we are lucky enough to have the Bible sitting on a shelf in our living rooms or bedrooms. Some of us have a dozen or so counting all the versions and styles. That does not let us off the hook if we can't find what we need when we need it. The Devil won't wait until you have everything at hand so you can fight him off easily. He will wait until you are alone and away from your inspired Help, and then he will plant that thought in your mind—you are not a child; you don't need to know all this stuff anyway. The thing is, you really do.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Ps 119:11).
Dene Ward
I am happy to report that this one was not said anywhere I have been a member of the Lord's body, at least that I know of. It was reported to me by a reader. Evidently, the preacher or Bible class teacher had asked everyone to memorize a verse each week. One member was not happy about this and expressed that unhappiness with the comment above.
I do recognize that as we age, memory becomes more of an issue. But despite that, how many things have you committed to memory anyway? Your address, your land line number, your cell number, your office number, your social security number, your date of birth, perhaps a safe combination, various passwords, all of which have become much more complicated by adding symbols and numbers, your security code for the alarm system, the entrance code if you live in a gated community, maybe even a credit card number. Need I list more?
So what kind of examples do we have in the Bible? The apostles remembered Jesus' words (Luke 24:8; John 2:22; John 15:22; Acts 11:26; Acts 20:35). Joshua told the Israelites to remember Moses's words (Josh 1:13). In fact, to this day, traditional Jews still recite at least a portion of the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, daily. Their rabbis recite that plus Deuteronomy 11:13-21 and Numbers 15:37-41 twice a day. The Psalmist meditated on the Word of God (Psalm 119:48, 97). How could he meditate on something all day long that he had not committed to memory, at least the gist of? And why did he want to meditate on it? Because he loved the Law of God enough to do so (Psalm 119:127, 159, 165, 167).
Notice: none of those people were children. They were all adults who understood the importance of having God's Word spring instantly to their lips when they needed it. They had enough love for the Word of God that they studied it constantly, and thought about it while they lived their daily lives. The apostles were even able to recall a verse from the thousands in the Old Testament whenever an event in Jesus' life reminded them of it (e.g., John 2:16,17).
Unlike those people from so long ago, we are lucky enough to have the Bible sitting on a shelf in our living rooms or bedrooms. Some of us have a dozen or so counting all the versions and styles. That does not let us off the hook if we can't find what we need when we need it. The Devil won't wait until you have everything at hand so you can fight him off easily. He will wait until you are alone and away from your inspired Help, and then he will plant that thought in your mind—you are not a child; you don't need to know all this stuff anyway. The thing is, you really do.
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Ps 119:11).
Dene Ward
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