I used to be so diligent at memorizing portions of Scripture. But in recent months, I haven’t been as purposeful. Until now. {dun dun dun} I felt like that called for some dramatic music.
A few weeks back I was so privileged to be a part of the Beautiful Life Conference. Which, sidenote, was in.credible. And for the record, seeing Angela Thomas behind the scenes…she’s the real deal. But I digress.
On the Friday night of the conference, Ellie Holcomb gave a concert. And she inspired me. She stirred up that old desire I used to nurture that drove me to purposefully meditate upon specific portions of God’s Word. She told a story about memorizing Scripture with a friend and how “them’s fightin’ words” and…well…my passion reignited.
I know it sounds churchy. But it’s just a thing. We have to — have to — meditate on true things continually or else our mind will become the enemy’s playground. But not a nice playground. A playground with dirty needles in the dirt and broken swings and creepy music playing in the background.
If we’re not purposefully meditating on what’s true, this world and all its brokenness will invade and take over our thought lives leaving us depressed and hopeless and anxious and fearful and…ad infinitum.
So I decided my first “order of business” was to memorize Psalm 73:21-26. I enlisted a trusty friend to hold me accountable. I wrote the words on paper. I looked at the paper. I repeated the words. I looked at the paper more. And now, it’s stuck in my brain.
Why is that good? Because here’s what my heart is tempted to say:
“My soul is embittered and it has every stinkin’ right to stay that way. Did you see what they did to me? You have no idea how deep these wounds go. I don’t care if I’m ignorant or beastly, the world did me wrong so I’m campin’ out here. Pass the chips.”
~ Eating worms,
The depraved folds of my heart
But here’s what the Psalmist says:
“When my soul was embittered. When I was pricked in heart. I was brutish and ignorant. I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless I am continually with you. You hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you. And there is nothing on earth I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
~ With love,
Truth from Psalm 73:21-26And yes, I typed that passage without looking at the Bible. Woohoo!
Here’s what happens. When I have truth stirring around in me, my heart may (as in “will”) say those foolish things but then I remember what’s true. I remember that even when I’m an ignorant beast in my thinking, God is right there with me. He’s holding my hand. He promises to guide me with His Word. And slowly but surely, my heart turns its attention away from the ever-present-and-pushy-me and onto the faithful-pursuing-awesome-God.
Remembering this passage causes me to ask myself, “What do you truly desire, Lara?” And then I remember that God alone satisfies. He alone fulfills my soul’s thirst. He is who I ultimately crave. “There is nothing on earth I desire besides You!” Then my soul lifts. Hope rises. And joy begins to show up on my face.
I need God’s Word rolling around in me. Need. Like oxygen. Because my heart deceives me. The enemy lies. This world inflicts sorrow. But God!
We need fightin’ words on the tip of our tongue. Need them. So maybe, just maybe, your passion to memorize is now reignited (or fanned into an even bigger flame). Press on, friend. With true words scribbled on notecards and taped to your bathroom mirror, press on.
Fill me, Lord…
What Scripture are you memorizing these days? (Or what do you want to memorize?)
Well that was straight to the point for me. I haven’t memorized Scripture in a while God has been doing some serious work with me and He has had me wrestling over this. I am not good at memorizing but I am going to give it a try. Thanks so much for sharing.
That’s awesome, Tammy. And if it’s any consolation, I forget ev.er.y.thing. Start small. Work on one verse at a time. Write it down on a couple of notecards. Then just keep repeating it. I know God will bless your soul. Blessings to you.
Wow. I have verse 26 on my baby son’s gravestone because he died of a heart defect. But I had *forgotten* about this psalm! And I am fighting a sense of entitlement and loss and these verses are so right for me just now. Thank You!
I am so sorry Joanna. Praying that God’s Word touches those tender places of your heart. I can’t imagine. Hugs to you.
Funny you should ask. I posted this scripture this morning on Instagram as I come to the end of my Breaking Free study (Beth Moore)….“He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry [shavah], and will save them” (Psalm 145:19).
Thank you Lara as this confirms God’s calling on my heart to memorize His Word, His truth. It is the only way we can defend ourselves from evil. The only way that works for me. His Word and worship music are my “fightin words” and I ain’t givin up!
Love you Lara!
Of course you posted the same verse. We seem to flow on similar waves. Ha. And yay for not givin up! Let’s do this thing.
Love this! I’ve been reflecting lately on how the words I speak to myself are just as important as those I speak to others. I purpose to speak love and kindness to others, but so often I let the lies and bitterness about myself wrap around my heart and forget the truth that He has set me free from this world and all those expectations I place on myself. No, there is no good in me…except for Him. And all those things He promises when we believe and walk in Him are mine. Thank you for this!
Stephanie, that is such a huge revelation. Our thought lives have profound effects on whether or not we’re walking in the freedom Christ died to give us. Such a great reminder. Praying that His Word renews our minds and reveals those places where we’ve allowed bitterness or lies to invade. Keep on, sister-friend.