I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, NRSV)
There are a multitude of flaws in my golf swing. My lower body sways. I get quick in my takeaway and I forget to turn my hips and my shoulders as I swing my club. To try to minimize the impact of these flaws during a round, I use an acronym: ATT. I write it in large letters on the top of my scorecard with a red pen. Anchor, Tempo, Turn. Every time I glance down at my scorecard in my cart, I am reminded of three key things I need to execute as I approach my next shot. While I have memorized these keys, I need to be constantly reminded to follow them.
Like my golf swing, I am a flawed human being. I am a sinner and I continue to sin daily. My constant struggle is to avoid sin and, instead, live my life in a way that is pleasing to God. The psalmist offers us a helpful tip to avoid sinning against God. He advises us to “treasure” God’s word in our hearts (other translations use the phrase “hide his word”). Whatever the translation, we are instructed to store up in our hearts God’s holy word so that we might not sin against him.
That’s a tall order! How do we store up this treasure in our heart?
While the thought of memorizing Scripture might seem daunting, it is vital for equipping us for spiritual battles to come.
Memorizing Scripture passages is one technique that we can utilize. James Montgomery Boice, a noted theologian, suggested that “memorizing is precisely what is called for, since it is only when the word of God is readily available in our minds that we are able to recall it in moments of need and profit by it.” In his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald S. Whitney likens Scripture memorization to the “sword of the Spirit” when he writes: “When the Holy Spirit brings a definite verse to mind…it’s an illustration of what Ephesians 6:17 can mean when it refers to ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.’” While the thought of memorizing Scripture might seem daunting, it is vital for equipping us for spiritual battles to come.
As we fight our daily spiritual battles, a particular verse that we have stored up in our heart can make the difference between winning and losing that battle. By having immediate access to these “swords of the Spirit” because we have committed them to memory, we will be more likely to prevail in these battles.
Take some time this week to pick one of your favorite verses from your “go-to list” and commit it to memory. Next week, do the same. After a few weeks, you’ll realize how easy the process is and you’ll be building your arsenal for spiritual battle.
—
Mark “Ole” Olson
August 31, 2020
Copyright 2020 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.