Hiding God's Word in Your Heart - Two Types of Memorization
I was thinking that there are two types of memorization. One is a memory of the mind and the other is a memory of the heart. With the former, the mind remembers facts. With the ladder, the heart cherishes what it has learned.
I believe both of these are very important when it comes to reading and studying God's word. Memorizing the Scriptures is very profitable for a number of reasons. For one, you know what a particular passage says and where to find it. Another reason it is useful is so that you can actually think on it! For example, if you are driving and want to think on a passage of Scripture, it isn't exactly easy to just get out a Bible and start reading it. But if you have the passage memorized, you can just recite it and think about it or even exegete it. Memorizing Scripture assists greatly in meditating on the law of the LORD day and night (see Psalm 1:2).
On the other hand, if you have all these passages memorized and yet do not delight in them, it does little good. Delighting in the word of God will inevitably result in meditating in the law of the LORD often. It's a heart issue. It has to do with desire, delight, and affections. It has to do with cherishing God's word in your heart. The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." This meant a change of character. It means growing in grace, not just factual knowledge.
Memorize God's word and cherish it in your heart and you have a powerful sword to keep you.
I believe both of these are very important when it comes to reading and studying God's word. Memorizing the Scriptures is very profitable for a number of reasons. For one, you know what a particular passage says and where to find it. Another reason it is useful is so that you can actually think on it! For example, if you are driving and want to think on a passage of Scripture, it isn't exactly easy to just get out a Bible and start reading it. But if you have the passage memorized, you can just recite it and think about it or even exegete it. Memorizing Scripture assists greatly in meditating on the law of the LORD day and night (see Psalm 1:2).
On the other hand, if you have all these passages memorized and yet do not delight in them, it does little good. Delighting in the word of God will inevitably result in meditating in the law of the LORD often. It's a heart issue. It has to do with desire, delight, and affections. It has to do with cherishing God's word in your heart. The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." This meant a change of character. It means growing in grace, not just factual knowledge.
Memorize God's word and cherish it in your heart and you have a powerful sword to keep you.
posted by aBranch at 12:17 AM
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