I've got a bible app on my phone.  Why download verses to my brain?

FIX THESE WORDS OF MINE IN YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS.               

— DEUTERONOMY 11:18A

Memorize Bible verses? Why would anyone do that? We all have Bibles on our phones, right at our fingertips. Why would you need to memorize it? Want to listen to your Bible? There’s an app for that. Want to hear people talk theology? There’s a podcast for that. Want to know what the Bible says about justice, parenting, dating, anxiety…. whatever your Biblical question, just Google it. When we’ve all got Bibles downloaded on our phones, why would anyone ever download verses to their brains?  

Well, there’s this funny thing that happens when you memorize something. Those words get into you, and they keep showing up in different situations, putting a lens over how you interpret things. Those words you learned come to you when you’d least expect it, refocusing your mind. They give guidance and wisdom and life. In every situation, but especially in difficult ones they ground you to the truth that transcends circumstance. I’d say, at least for me, memorizing Scripture has been the biggest agent of good in my day to day life. It’s how I hear God speaking to me, all the time, in his own words. I can only begin to show you some of the ways “fixing his words” in my mind have changed my heart.  

Days are long. I need to refocus. 

Even when I spend time in God’s Word first thing in the morning, by the time I hit the pavement, I’m head-down, task-focused, just trying to tackle all the things I have coming at me. I, for one, need constant refocusing. I need a reminder to rest in God’s goodness when I’m work-weary (Ps 116:7), to rely on his Spirit when I am doing things in my own strength (2 Tim 1:7), and to take “kindness detours” from "my plan" for my day (Eph. 4:32). These are just three verses I've recently memorized; and what an impact they have had on me! God’s words in me regularly challenges me to live differently than how I’m prone to live. I’m reminded all day long to take those “inconvenient detours” that actually end up being the path God has laid out for me.  

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I am not wise. 

We all want to believe that we have these disarming nuggets of truth to drop on people, the perfect words for every situation. But the real truth is, we just don’t. At least, I don’t! If I’m being honest, ANYTHING I ever say—anything of any value, anything wise or good or true, anything at all—didn’t originate with me! I totally lifted it from the Bible. Praise God though! He’s fine with my plagiarism. He wants us to know his words and share them. And when we have his words on the tip of our tongues, we’ve got the right words for every situation.  

God’s Word is life.

Jesus gives us this great illustration to help us understand the life-giving effect of spending time with him and in his Word. He tells us in John 15 that we are branches and he’s the vine. And just like branches must remain attached to the vine in order to live, we too cannot live without staying connected to the life-giving source, Jesus. In verse 7, he tells us to remain in him and to keep his words in us. His words are how we stay connected to him and know him. Now, this doesn’t mean if we don’t memorize Scripture, we can’t be connected to him. Surely, we can be in his Word in other ways. But, one really great way to have his words in our minds is by putting them there in a more permanent way (i.e. memorizing them). It’s a constant connection wherever we are, all day (and night) long.  

Life isn’t all rainbows and puppy dogs. 

All of us have very real struggles in this imperfect world. We deal with loss and hardship, relational difficulties, work strife, failure, depression, and anxiety. When we memorize God’s Word, we have it with us, on the ready for whatever life might throw at us. There have been specific times in my own life when those words from God are my lifeline. I can think of moments on my floor, face-down, just repeating promises I have memorized, claiming them for myself, hoping in them when I have no other hope. When everything around us feels uncertain, we the truth that transcends our circumstances.   

What about you? 

Have you ever memorized Scripture? Do you have a favorite verse? Have you ever given Biblical words to your suffering or claimed promises by reciting them back to God? Or maybe you've given someone else a verse to comfort or encourage them. Let me encourage you: there is wisdom and life and hope available to you in God's Word. Maybe give it a shot. Memorize just one verse and see if it doesn't make a huge impact on our life. 

What verse could you memorize to speak into your current situation? 

How might reciting Scripture help you refocus your day when you get off track? 

Thanks for reading,