IN THE GROOVE

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11

I’ve been studying on Psalm 119.  I’m moving slow, trying to spend time meditating on each verse.  It’s a super cool Psalm for many reasons, but I recently happened upon this verse.  This is one of those we know so well, isn’t it?  We’ve heard it many times, we’ve studied it, and we may even have memorized it.  But, the words jumped off the page this time.

So, what does it mean to say “I have hidden your word…”? 

The word “hidden,” or some Bible versions say “treasure,” in Hebrew means to save, to conceal, to keep, to store.  So, it might look like this:

I have saved your work in my heart,
I have concealed your word in my heart,
I have kept your word in my heart, or
I have stored your word in my heart.

Are we able to say that?  Hmmm.  It’s something to think on.  Have we saved, concealed, kept, stored God’s Word in our hearts?  Hmmm, again.  We may think we have the Word of God in our hearts, but if we don’t have it in our minds, we don’t.  The Word tells us that the only way to be transformed is “by the renewing of our minds.”  You see, our hearts and our minds are interconnected.  Our hearts shape our minds and our minds shape our hearts.  When they work together, both on the same page, that’s when true transformation works.  Transformation cannot happen without our hearts and our minds.  So, what’s that mean?

It means that “hiding or “treasuring” the Word of God in our hearts and therefore our minds, is how spiritual transformation takes place.  If we want to be changed by the Word of God, we have to know the Word of God.  In this context, “hiding” encourages believers to internalize the Word, creating a spiritual treasury.  I love the sound of that, but what does it actually mean?

We should endeavor to memorize the Word of God.  Please don’t X out of this post.  This is completely possible or God would not have told us repeatedly in His Word to do so.

Your brain has the ability to learn and grow as you age — a process called brain plasticity — but for it to do so, you have to train it on a regular basis.
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing

See, it’s completely doable. For some of us “old dogs,” it sounds like we can learn some “new tricks.”

Some of us may be saying, I don’t think it’s necessary.  I agree it does sound daunting, but, if the Lord thinks it’s important enough to put in His Word, I think we need to take notice.    If we think about it, we can probably see many benefits in memorizing scripture.

In order to memorize, we have to meditate.  We have to examine it, play it over and over in our minds, think on it.  Not just checkmark it. 

Meditating on God’s Word changes the way you think, the way you act, respond, reason, and speak.
Glenna Marshall

I don’t know about you, but I can come up with a whole lot of reasons (excuses) not to memorize scripture.  But they would all be just that, excuses.  The Lord calls us to delight in His Word.  Memorizing is one way to do that.

In essence, when you start a new habit, you are essentially rewiring your brain by creating new neural pathways that support that behavior. This is why consistency and repetition are key to forming strong, lasting habits.
Healthline

There are all kinds of methods out there for memorizing.  Settle on the one that works for you.  Don’t get hung up in the method.  Do what works for you.

The number one step, the most important step, is to seek help from the Holy Spirit.  The Word tells us apart from Him we can do nothing.  That includes memorizing scripture.  Then start small and work your way up.  The key is repetition.  Although we may feel like we’re forgetting as soon as we finish a passage, what is stored in our minds will be brought into the light by the Holy Spirit, at just the right time.

One  easy way to memorize scripture is to do it one word at a time.  For instance, memorize  two word scriptures, then three word scriptures, then four, and keep going.  Don’t move on until you know what the scripture means and you can recall it.  Don’t rush.  You have until eternity to work on it. 

Two Word Scriptures
Jesus wept. John 11:35
Rejoice Always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Five Word Scriptures
Rejoice in the Lord always.  Philippians 4:4
Delight yourself in the Lord.  Psalm 37:4

Six Word Scriptures
God is our refuge and strength.  Psalm 46:1
Love is patient, love is kind.  1 Corinthians 13:4

Seven Word Scriptures
We love because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19
Dear brothers and sisters, pray for us.  1 Thessalonians 5:25

Eight Word Scriptures
This is the day the Lord has made.  Psalm 118:24
Then He asked them, where is your faith?  Luke 8:25

Nine Word Scriptures
Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace.  Luke 17:19
For by grace you have been saved through faith.  Ephesians 2:8

Ten Word Scriptures
God who calls you is faithful; He will do this!  1 Thessalonians 5:24
Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.  Colossians 3:2

You don’t need to plan to memorize a book of the Bible, you can just do it organically as you are reading.  If a verse speaks to you, commit it to memory. But the key is to practice, practice, practice.  Start making those grooves.  The more you do it, the easier it is.

Jump in with both feet.  It is life-changing.  I’m praying for you.