It's Not Just For Us

This post is by Patty Lewis.

It was another “normal” day in our household last Friday, just doing our chores, some schoolwork, living our best lives in our daily activities. James, our 17-year-old son, came out of the hall from his bathroom and began to recite some words to me, just randomly. I tried to focus and listen well. Once he had completed his recitation, I took my moment to ask what he was saying to me. He informed me it was Joshua 1:8.  Aha!!  So, this was also my opportunity to ask about why that verse had been written on his bathroom mirror for the last couple days. Then ensued a sweet and special time of hearing him explain (with me asking a few properly timed questions) why he was choosing to challenge himself to memorize Scripture. It was beautiful to hear him tell me about youth from Wednesday night, who the speakers were, what breakout small group sessions he was in, who had an impact on his heart and mind that night. 

I believe I may also take into consideration how long we have been training him to think deeply about his choice to put his faith in Jesus Christ. We have struggled in our faith walks as parents, but we have been persistent and not given up. Over the years we attended services, stayed committed to our home church through very difficult times, supported missions in various ways, served, read the Word together and individually, assigned reading, wrote Post-its with Scripture, chose to talk about God’s Word, His ways, remembrances of Him and we also required some Scripture memory.  It felt, at times, like we were forcing it upon him, but we tried to be loving and impressed the importance upon him. He is almost ready to fly freely and on his own. This is now his time to choose. It is beginning to show that he is making his own choices, and we are letting go of making them for him. He has a little training left. This time is hard, but we will see fruit!

Scripture memory is a special ability God created, so we can use it to clearly remember His Words. It is a balm to our souls, it feeds us, it helps us recall who we are in Christ, how much God loves us, and it is a weapon for all forms of battle that we find ourselves so often in the midst of. We must arm ourselves with His Word, the Sword of the Spirit. Starting with one small verse and practicing it often is a great beginning. Choose one and get going.

Scripture memorization is not just for us. It is for others as well. There are many times we are asked to lift up the faith of others in our lives who are feeling hopeless. Speaking God’s Word into their lives, into their hearts and minds, is life giving. Knowing some of His words by heart helps us be always ready to recall the very words that will breathe life into another who desperately needs it. Also, it encourages others to practice this discipline as they experience and see us doing it. 

I encourage you to persevere if you are already practicing this discipline, and if you have not recently or never really started, there is no time like now. Just a few words at a time. 

Isaiah 55:11

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Joshua 1:8

Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

James, our son, came to me again in the kitchen just now (in between paragraphs as I wrote and a few phone calls I had to take) as I was heating up lunch and recited his verse, Joshua 1:8.  Then proclaimed he felt confident he had learned it and was going to move on.  He has made a list of 30+ verses he wishes to memorize from his notes on sermons and programs he is learning from. My momma heart is so full.  You, oh Lord, are so very good to us.  

May The Lord bless you and keep you! 

Patty Lewis lives on the Space Coast of Florida with her Husband, Son and one cat. She is a homeschool Momma, loves having the goal of encouraging others by listening and speaking words of life. She enjoys reading, gardening, learning, exploring, Disney, coffee (iced lattes really sweet), anything with her family and laughing really loud.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash