It’s that time of month again . . . time to choose another scripture verse to memorize.
Since January I have been following Beth Moore’s Siesta Scripture Memory Team. On the first and fifteenth of each month I choose a new Bible verse to memorize. I have tried to come up with ingenious ways to have the verses accessible to me at all times no matter where I am in the house or for that matter no matter where I am anywhere.
I tape each verse to my bathroom mirror. I make a little card and prop each one up on the dining room table. I write them in a spiral bound notebook. And I even have and app for them on my phone! All in hopes of actually memorizing them! Better yet be able to recall them in those tough situations when I think to myself, “If only I knew a Bible verse that would help me right now!” or “What was that verse again?” And what would top all of it would have the ability to know it, recall it, and actually use it in a conversation with someone as encouragement or witnessing!
But it’s not as easy as I thought.
I can memorize them for a time and say them back to my husband on the last day of the month, but why do I have such a hard time etching them on my heart? I know God gets a lot of joy knowing that I’m seeking to know more about Him. I know it’s His deepest desire for me to learn all that I can about Him.
“Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” Deuteronomy 11:18
So why can’t I memorize it, apply it, and teach it?
I began asking myself, “What is etched on my heart now that might be keeping me for learning God’s Word?”
Well, I love knowing things. I love knowing things that others don’t know. I love the recognition that comes with that, and I love it even better when I can prove someone wrong.
What is etched on my heart?
Pride.
The one thing I struggle with the most, and the one thing that will make me unusable to God.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1
In order for God to gift me with the ability to learn His Word thoroughly, He has to know that I know it all comes from Him: my mind, my working memory, His Living Word, opportunites. How dare I even think of taking the credit!
“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.”
Romans 11:35
