Psalm 119:11(ESV) 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
My, my, my, it has been a long,long time,since I sat down and penned anything for public
consumption. How is everyone? My schedule,that actually means Chloe and trying to fix the
house up, keeps me pretty busy these days.So then, they tell me that the verse above is
talking about Scripture memorization.Storing it up in your heart and whatnot.
That said,I was on the phone with Pastor Doug the other day and the
subject of memory and memorization came up. I told Pastor Doug
that a few months back I noticed that I seemed to be forgetting stuff more and more.
I was not panicked about it.Though I indeed could tell that I was forgetting stuff.
But I did some due diligence and discovered that indeed memory does suffer with age.
So,I dug a little deeper and found that there were a few things that could slow the process
and even improve the forgetfulness. Amongst a basketful of options,one jumped out at me.
It was in fact something that Pasor Doug and this author had done many years ago. What?
Scripture memorization. Yes,years ago we had memorized oodles of Scripture.Whole
chapters at a time. The 12th chapter of Hebrews comes to mind. "Since we are
surrounded....." Remember that one Pastor Doug? The Atlanta Post Office Federal Annex.
So, armed with a resurrected enthusiasm,I began to memorize Scripture again.
I began with the 25th Psalm. Just a few verses at first and then added to them gradually
until I had the entire Psalm memorized. I will say more about the 25th Psalm in a minute.
I then went to Romans 2 and my journey was on. I am considering the whole book of
Ephesians. If not the whole book then certainly the first three chapters. As I was relaying
this to Pastor Doug,he told me of a friend who had lost his short term memory to a stroke
and had regained it by reading the 23rd Psalm. So, he asked me to share my experience
and this is it. I do believe my memory has improved a good deal over this time(a few
months maybe a year). Although Shelley might disagree as I had a senior moment the
other day.(smile)
I have since added Psalm 1,18(partial),19,23,25,35(partial),92.103,130,131,134,141. 1st
Cor.13,verses in Romans2,Galatians5,Phillipians 4,James 1. Ephesians 2.And so on.
I told Pastor Doug that in addition to the benefits of a stronger mind,that I truly believed
there must be a spiritual benefit to this discipline. Enter the 25th Psalm.
Let me bring you back for a moment to Psalm25. This passage of Scripture is the one
I started with. Here is the ESV rendering.
Psalm 25:4-5(ESV) 4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;for you I wait all the day long.
These are the two verses that I started with. I was reading one night and these two
verses jumped out at me. I can't even remember the circumstances.However,I remember
saying to myself this is where I want to start my memory program. So I did. Now,there are
lots of memorization tools for Scripture.Probably they are much better and less time
consuming than what I do. What is that Ronnie? Repetition. Plain and simple. I go over and
over until I have it. It's admittedly slow and ponderous. The internet has quicker and better
methods. But, for me there is something about the discipline of repetition that works.
Anyway, as I moved on to a larger portion of the 25th Psalm, I noticed something. I do a lot
of the memorization while I drive the bus. Repeating quietly under my breath all of what I
have committed to memory. I run through the whole gamut at least every other day
while driving. So,as I am quoting these Scriptures on my bus something began
to happen. My simple quoting of God's Word began to take on a new nature. It began to be
more than just a mimicking. You feelin' me here?
One of prayer. I was no longer just regurgitating verses to myself, but it seemed
the Holy Ghost was beginning to speak back to me as I spoke His Word. It was a certain
feeling that would come over me. I could feel His presence. Then,God began to
give me halt at certain points as I quoted,prayed His Word. The first time it happened
was while I was quoting,praying the above passage in the 25th Psalm.My attention was
drawn to that word 'your'. The Lord began to speak to me about His ways and His
paths,especially as they applied to my way and my path. He began to help me on my job
as my attitude towards certain people was not pleasing in His sight ;and certainly missed
the mark as being His Way, if you get my drift. As I add to my memory banks He continues
showing me things as I pray His Word. It's kinda like a new way of doing things. One thing
I am certain of and this is it. If I will enter into His presence with His word on my lips,and if I
will patiently wait for Him and don't jump ahead into MY program of prayer, He will indeed
hear me don't you think?Why? "... for He is the God of my salvation,for Him I wait all the day
long."
Hear this, if His Word is in my mouth, I will be praying according to His will.Yes? No?
I believe it will be. Anyway,what started as a memory booster seems
to have morphed into a prayer time to boot. (smile) Try it. I think you might like it.
Well,I hope this spoke to someone. It was good to break out the computer and put some
thoughts down. Maybe the Lord will give me leave to continue.
Psalm 25:1-22(ESV) 1
2 O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame;let not my enemies exult over me.
3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.
4 Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths.
5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation;for you I wait all the day long.
6 Remember your mercy, O LORD, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old.
7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me,for the sake of your goodness, O LORD!
8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way.
9 He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.
10 All the paths of the LORDare steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.
11 For your name’s sake, O LORD, pardon my guilt, for it is great.
12 Who is the man who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
13 His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land.
14 The friendship of the LORDis for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the LORD, for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you.
22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
God Bless.