A Hunger for God’s Word - Thursday
Today’s Verse
Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. (NIV)
We all know from experience that life comes with its ups and downs—and Scripture reminds us many times over that we are to be ready for trials. Ephesians 6:16 says to “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Have you ever felt like flaming arrows were coming at you in life?
Even with the convenience of technology, nothing compares to having Scripture memorized and ready to go at any time of day or night. This is one of the weapons we can arm ourselves with against those “flaming arrows of the evil one.” As someone who has battled against anxiety, having Scripture at the ready has made a huge impact on my willingness to give things over to the Lord. Isaiah 26:3, for example, has consistently reminded me of this: “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” The psalmist of Psalm 119 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” When we take the time and effort to memorize passages of Scripture, big or small, the Holy Spirit uses these to point us back to God and remember that we do not face each day alone.
Have you ever tried memorizing Scripture? Maybe you’re a pro. That’s great! Maybe you have a few down, like John 3:16 and Genesis 1:1. Wonderful! Maybe you’re new. Not a problem! Wherever you’re starting today, there are more than 30,000 possible verses to pick and memorize. Start big or start small, God just wants your heart. When we hide His word in our hearts, God uses it to grow and mature us, drawing us closer to Him.
REFLECTION
Have any verses or passages stood out to you this week? On Tuesday, we read the book of James. (If you missed, it, check it out! It takes about 15 minutes to listen.) Maybe something stands out to you there, or maybe you’re interested in Psalm 23. Whatever you choose, however ambitious you feel, choose something to memorize and a timeframe to do it in. (This isn’t a race, but deadlines can help actually get things done!) Tell a friend or a family member and ask for accountability. Have your kids join in!
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (NIV)
