Overcoming Complacency
"Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction."
(Psalm 119:92)
Knowing the impact it has had on my own life, Scripture memorization is something I'm always eager to recommend. Due in part to my recently-expanded role in the ministry of SMF, I often find myself discussing the Word of God and the value of memorizing it with anyone who will listen. Of course most Christians I meet all but shout "amen" when I begin describing the necessity of Scripture memory, but finding someone who actively memorizes or is remotely interested in starting is more challenging than you might think.
According to David in today's verse, the Word of God was an invaluable part of his life that prevented him from "perishing in his affliction." The words of Christ in Matthew 16:26 remind us that a man is profited nothing "if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul", leading me to the conclusion that my spiritual health should be every day's top priority. David's conviction that his own spiritual survival hinged on his love for Scripture inspired him to continue, "I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life." (Ps. 119:93)
The combined message of these verses is simple: your soul is immeasurably valuable and must be fed with the "daily bread" of God's Word (Matt. 6:11; 4:4). To exaggerate the significance of what is temporary and neglect your walk with God would be a dreadful mistake. Attempting to walk with God at all without allowing His life-giving Word to "grow mightily and prevail" in your heart would be just as tragic in the end (Acts 19:20).
Because it is a crucial element of one's overall spiritual health, Scripture memorization should be practiced with a sense of urgency, not complacency. That's not to say learning a new verse automatically makes you that much closer to God, but drawing closer to Him does call for our hearts to be cleansed "with the washing of water by the Word." (Eph. 5:26; Jam. 4:8) As in David's case, we'll still have to "walk through the valley of the shadow of death", but will be all the more prepared to say of the Lord in those times, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.” (Ps. 23:4; 91:2)
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