Sunday Sentiments

 

A couple of weeks ago, when I spoke at our church, I talked about the importance of memorizing Scripture. I’ve blogged about this a handful of times recently, so I know I’ve shared with you that this is not something that comes easily or naturally to me. (Memorizing in general, that is.) But even though I don’t have a photographic memory, I remain convinced that hiding God’s word in our hearts is so important.

            We never know when we might need to call it to mind – and if we haven’t put it in our mind, how will we call it?

            At my cousin’s funeral earlier this year, all the students who were in attendance stood and recited the Law from Exodus 20 – something he had his classes learn year after year. That inspired me to learn it myself, and I did that a few months ago.

            Leading up to what I shared at church, I prayed about what to memorize next, and God kept bringing me back to Psalm 119.

            Yes. The longest Psalm. 178 verses long.

            I made that commitment in front of the church, which is the ultimate accountability. And then I started trying to memorize it and learned that it’s hard! So many of the verses resemble the ones around them, and I struggled to keep the words straight.

            Then I found that there are song versions of this Psalm. A couple of groups of set the verses to music, and I decided I would learn it that way. I know I can memorize songs, and after all, Psalms are songs. What an appropriate way to learn!

            I’ve started learning the first section, and when I made my way to the donut shop yesterday to pick up donuts for church today, I found myself singing parts of the song as I drove. It’s working! The words are settling in my mind and heart and emerging naturally as I go about my day.

            Maybe you don’t feel led to memorize Psalm 119, but maybe you feel led to work on memorizing some section of Scripture so it’s settled on your mind and heart! Join me, will you?