Daily Devotional For Thursday, January 18, 2024

Scripture Memorization:  Buoys in the “Spiritual  Sea of Life”

Have you ever been in a dramatic play? Do you remember all those lines you had to memorize? Even if you haven’t, you can understand that much effort is required. Many times we have heard that we should memorize scripture verses. When asked “why,” we often hear, “Because you will not always have a Bible with you or on you and you are more vulnerable to giving into the temptation.”  

This is one reason but it is not a good one because the motivation is by fear. God’s Word says this is the reason. Look at 1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (ESV).

The best way I think to “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you” is through Scripture memorization.

Here are some good reasons to memorize scripture:

1. It pleases God > Read Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (ESV).
2. Is a stimulus to growth as a Christian > Read Psalm 119:9-10, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. (10) With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments!” (ESV).
3. Is a blessing to others > Read Luke 24:27-32, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.(28) So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if He were going farther, (29) but they urged Him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So He went in to stay with them.(30) When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. (31) And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He vanished from their sight. (32) They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?” (ESV).
4. Makes witnessing easier and more effective >  (Read Hebrews. 4:12, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the hear,” ESV.)
5. Helps you learn where different people and events are in the Bible. For example, do you know where the story of David and Goliath is? To say, “The Old Testament” is not good enough.
6. Give personal guidance (Read Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, ESV). 
7. Makes our daily devotional time more meaningful > (Read Psalm 42:1-2, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for You, O God. (2) My soul thirsts for God, for the living God, When shall I come and appear before God?” ESV).
8. May save your life > (Read Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You,” ESV).
9. Protects you in times of temptation.  Here are some “buoy” references:

1. Lust (Read 2 Timothy 2:22, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart,” ESV).
2. Pride (Read Romans 12:3, ”For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned,” (ESV).
3. Sins of body (Read Romans 12:1-2, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. (2) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect,” ESV).
4. Temper (Read Ephesians 4:26, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,” ESV)
5. Disobedience (Read John 14:15, Jesus said, ““If you love Me, you will keep My commandments,” ESV).
6. Crude language (Read Ephesians 5:3-4, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. (4) Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.” ESV).

Temptations are dangerous sand bars in the water.  The North Carolina coast is called “The Graveyard of the Atlantic.” Over 600 ships have been sunk since the 16th century because of running into these fang-like shifting sand bars that push seaward to snare the unwary mariner. Scripture memory is like buoys in the water in that they keep ships out of trouble. Look at this great buoy. It is Psalm 119:11, “I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You,” ESV).

David memorized scripture verses to overcome temptation, not out of fear. When Jesus was tempted by satan, what did He use to overcome it? Scripture! A careful reading of the devil’s 3 temptations to Jesus are found in Matthew. 4:1-11. Jesus used Scripture, not pop-psychology, not will power, but Scripture to overcome temptation. And guess what? So should you and I also.

This shows that He did not have the Scriptures with Him. Jesus had them in Him. Just as buoys keep ships out of trouble, scripture memorization keeps us from being snared by temptations. 

When temptation comes, remember 1 Corinthians 10:13, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure” (NLT). To have a full understanding of what this verse means and implies, read my devotion on our church’s web for January 13, 2024 site at this link: https://southsidebaptist101.tithelysetup.com/blog/daily-devotional-for-saturday-january-13-2024. What does this mean?

1. All the “spiritual waters” that you sail on has been sailed on before by someone else:  i.e., there are no new temptations. Therefore, someone else has experienced what you are experiencing. 
2. God will not allow the waves to drown you if you remain firm and faithful: i.e., God will not allow the temptation to be more than you can resist.
3. If the waves ever do get too large and you are in a “drowning situation,” God will throw you a life preserver:  (i.e., God always provides escapes from every temptation. This may mean that you don’t run around with certain people or go certain places. Remember, there are dangerous sand bars and “mines” out there. STAY within the buoys and you will stay above the water.

Now, how do you memorize scripture verses? Below are three words which serve as a guide that may help you do this:

 TIME  

1. Use three minutes of your Daily Quiet Time Bible Study each morning for Scripture memorization.
2. Spend five minutes working on verses just before bedtime.
3. Use spare time for Scripture memorization.

 WORK

1. Study the context.
2. Think through the verse.
3. Read it aloud several times.
4. Quote the Scripture reference before and after the verse.
5. Memorize bits and phrases.
6. Learn the verse word perfectly.
7. Meditate on the verse all day.

REVIEW

1. Review the verses learned for five weeks or thirty-six days.  Don’t forget -- you rest on the Lord’s Day.
2. This means your maximum number of verses on any given day will be twelve -- reviewing eleven and working on the new verse.
3. After a person has reviewed a verse thirty-six times, he should review it once or twice a month.
4. Lack of review will erase formerly learned things.

Summary — Where Have We Been & Where Are We Going?:

What we have talked about is how to develop a quiet time, memorize scripture and deal with temptation.  All of these disciplines will aid you in your spiritual voyage across the Sea of Life.  Even though your goal/destination is to be Christlike, only at death will you complete your voyage. But until that happens, consider this commitment as you leave your harbor of conversion and begin your voyage.  

My Commitment

Christ’s disciples asked the Master to teach them to pray (Luke 11:1, “Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As He finished, one of His disciples came to Him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples,” ESV).  The words “teach us to pray” indicate that learning to pray doesn’t come with the snap of the fingers.  To become effective in individual quiet times takes time, practice and stick-to-it-iveness.  Somewhere along the line you must commit yourself to a special experience with God everyday. Now is that time. If you would commit yourself to a daily quiet time, sign your name to the suggested pledge.

My Covenant With God

Because I want to have a special fellowship with God on a day-by-day basis I, (your name) ______________________, agree to spend some meaningful moments with the Master.  The place I have set aside is _________________________________ and the time I will meet my God is ________________________.  

Name_________________________________________________________________

Date__________________________________________________________________

Scripture To Meditate On: 2 Corinthians 1:20, “For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him. That is why it is through Him that we utter our Amen to God for His glory.” (ESV).

Prayer To Pray: Dear God, I ask You to plant such a deep desire in my heart to have time with You that I will keep the vow I signed. Help me please to claim the Bible promise of 2 Corinthians 1:20, “because all the promises of God find their Yes in Him” (ESV).