This week I am busy trying to get a few memory verses stuck firmly in my head. I hope this will allow me to impress those who mark my term exam in Intro to the Bible! I haven’t really done this for a long while. . . studying or memorising.
Several ‘scriptures in song’ in the back of my mind are coming in quite handy, but I am wondering why no one has ever put Ezekiel 36:26 into a song, or Jeremiah 31:33-34, or Colossians 3:1-2, or even God’s promises to David?
Memorising Scripture, difficult as it is, is so worth it. How invaluable to have the one source of life and hope, to have the Word, IN you. You don’t have to rely on the presence of your Bible or have enough memory left in your smart phone in order to hear God’s voice. It is what Paul speaks of in Colossians 3:16, where he says we should LET the Word dwell in us richly. What am I doing to LET it sink into my heart and mind on weeks when I don’t have an exam? What am I doing that is preventing it?

The Word dwelling in us is how God’s Spirit works to change and shape us, transforming our heart through radical surgery at the hand of God.
“The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it is for teaching and rebuking,….. training in righteousness so that the man of God might be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Hebrews 4:12.

Consider also these words from John Piper: “Satan’s #1 objective is to destroy our faith. We have one offensive weapon: the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17). But what many Christians fail realise is that we can’t draw the Sword from someone else’s scabbard!  If we don’t wear it we can’t wield it. If the Word of God does not abide in us (John 15:7) we will reach for it in vain when the enemy strikes.” (Piper, ‘Desiring God’ p.151)

If you want to start letting the Word sink in, try writing or printing out important verses and posting them behind the toilet door, or behind the glass in the shower. Singing them in the shower is even better, since music helps to cement things in our minds so much more easily (unless people in your household object). Here are two musicians who have done some hard work in writing songs that help the Word settle in, put its feet up and feel right at home in our hearts:
Colin Buchanan, an awesome Aussie who has a huge string of kids praise albums. For remembering scripture try this CD: Baa Baa Do Baa Baa!
Also, Sovereign Grace songwriter/Pastor Mark Altrogge has several cd collections for scripture memorisation for adults at Forever Grateful Music