My daughter is a teenager, and she has many "favorite" songs. My son is ten years old, and even he can hear the first few notes of the song and immediately burst into singing every word of the song.
How do we memorize so many lines or lyrics? The answer is simple: repetition. I am often questioned how I know so many Bible passages of scripture. The answer is the same: repetition. We all do it. Maybe your morning routine is strict and you are productive because you do the same things every single morning. Maybe your morning routine is chaotic and stressful because you do the same things every single morning: keep hitting the snooze button, oversleep, didn't prepare the night before, etc. Repetition.
Children are great at this, aren't they? My children could watch the same DVD over and over and over. They demand, "Again!," as soon as they see the credits at the end of the video. They love toys that repeat phrases over and over again. Anyone remember Tickle Me Elmo? While this may be annoying to the child's parents, it is actually a wonderful tool to teach our children letters, numbers, colors, danger signs, help with pottying, and so much more.
We shouldn't be surprised to see the call for repetition in God's Word. Scripture is very clear that Christians are not to use vain repetition, so we must exercise caution. Jesus said in Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. Jesus cautions us to not just memorize an elaborate speech to pray over and over so others will hear us and think we are more holy or to bring us glory. Instead, we are to pray from our heart, speaking to the King of kings and Lord of lords. We teach our children to pray with repetition to help them learn to talk to God, but it is so important to teach them as they grow older to pray from their heart.
There is not so fine a line between vain repetition and the repetition the Bible calls us to do. We are taught in the Scriptures to get in a habit of reading God's Word, studying the truth found in the Scriptures, and to memorize them so we can use them in our spiritual warfare. We learn scripture from reading the Bible daily.
Joshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt mediate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. This is crystal clear that we are to read the Word of God, speak the Word of God, and think about the Word of God every moment we are awake. Why would this be important? So that we may observe to do just what it says to do. We are to make ourselves aware of what the rules are God has laid out for His believers to do. The blessing is that when we do this we are making our way prosperous and we will have good success. Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to prosper? Do you want to have good success? Stay in the Word of God!
Hard times come to everyone, whether they are a Christian or not. No one lives long without some source of pain, disappointment, hardship, or strife. Sin came into the world and the result of that disobedience to God has been a life of struggles and difficulty. How can we hope to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ if we don't know what God's Word says about tough times? We must strengthen ourselves in God's Word to help those around us. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words. The Bible is full of hope, encouragement, strength, joy, freedom, and love. These scriptures are the message God wants to bring to a dying world, a hopeless world, a hurting world. We comfort each other with the Words of God.
We are in a spiritual battle! If you have not been attacked lately, thank God for it, and begin to prepare, because believe me it is going to happen! How can we defeat the enemy, the devil, if we don't sharpen our sword and use it? Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Friends, God gave us weapons to use for this fight and if we use the tools He gave us, we will overcome!
It's evident that followers of Christ cannot look to the world for any consolation, any hope, any help to get us through these spiritual storms. God knew that! He has given us an incredible book filled with ordinary people overcoming insurmountable odds to do extraordinary things for God as they put their trust in Him. We may never know that unless we read it for ourselves. Our pastors and teachers are great at what they do, but they are limited as to what they can share with us in a church setting, but we have the great fortune in America to open our Bible anytime we want and dig deep into the Word of God. It is a wonderful freedom that I am so grateful for. Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Look at all the mighty men and women of God in the Bible, read their story, get to know their great struggles, and then set aside the sin and the things that weigh us down so we can RUN! We are to run with patience the race God has set before us. Stay in your own lane and RUN!
The Bible says in 2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth. This studying is to equip us with the knowledge we need to help others. It builds our own faith, as well. Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. You may follow along during the sermon, maybe even take notes, but you have to study the Word of God for yourself. Familiarize yourself with the what the Scriptures say so you are not deceived. Bring your Bible to church. Read it daily.
Sometimes we are discouraged from reading the Bible because we may not understand it. The Bible has hidden meanings and nuggets of truth waiting to be discovered, but it's not on the surface for just anyone to have it. We must pray that God will minister to us and help us to understand what He is saying to His people. He wants us to ask for wisdom. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. God is not going to be harsh with you for asking for wisdom. Scripture tells us that God is generous to all men and women who ask for wisdom. Look at the end of the verse, when you have asked God for wisdom, it shall be given to you! That is a promise!
If you doubt that God truly wants to show you the hidden mysteries of His Word, I have one more scripture to offer you. Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not. He is waiting for you to make time for Him. He gives us His time when we pray. He is faithful to us even when we are not. We should strive to be more like Him and we cannot truly know who He is unless we spend time in His Word, at His feet, learning of Him.
God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
God bless you!
~Bridgett Owens
