God’s Power in Words
I have never been much of a Bible verse memorizer. My Bible awareness had an ‘it’s in there‘ approach. I could find ‘the biggies’ easily in my Bible because I had underlined and starred and arrowed them, but I could not quote my God. I could not pour His word-for-word truth into another, or into my own soul – ‘cause I only had an idea of the truth, not the actual words.
So a year ago I started on an earnest effort to memorize scripture. I downloaded Scripture Typer on my phone and I have become fairly disciplined in getting at it every day.
I can now recall a few of my favorite verses, although I am still challenged with remembering the chapter and verse. It’s already paying off in my prayer life and in some discussions with other people. All good.
But something unexpected happened.
A couple of months ago, I decided to study what the power of God’s word was all about. My overly-rational mind needed to understand why it was so dang important for me to memorize it! (I know those of you memorizing-devotees gasped at that, right?).
I dove into the 176 verses of Psalm 119, each one dripping with the value of God’s word. I got super-excited about learning more. So I picked this verse that oozes of the power of God’s word, right?
The word of God is living and active. Sharper than a double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. ~Hebrews 4:12
In just one week, I mastered this verse. Word for word. I can quote it at a moment’s notice. And they are not just words to me. Every time I recall this verse, I believe more and more that the word of God is a power not to mess with. I feel the power IN the words.
I am not exaggerating when I say how thoroughly unexpected this was for me. It’s not just that it happened fast, but that it happened at all is the unexpected (after six months, I am still trying to master the fruit of the Spirit!).
But there’s more!
In January, I made my usual resolution to get healthier. I figured since God’s word is alive and penetrates even to dividing joints from marrow, I reasoned that it must be able to divide my fat from the rest of my body!
Knowing that food is an idol or a stronghold (I could go either way with that descriptor) that comes between me and Him, I chose more verses that oozed of God’s power. With words like demolish and fight and weapons and taking captive, how could I resist?
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ~2 Corinthians 10:4-5
No joke. Within a week the words of these verses were coming back to me as if they were the Lord’s Prayer. God knew I needed to believe that with Him, I can demolish, I can take captive, I can defeat any stronghold that holds me captive now, and forever.
So here’s where this has unexpectedly taken me…
I believe the Holy Spirit – who Jesus said would teach and remind us (John 14:26) – was the one who did all this work in me. But what has been unexpected is that he did it with such intentionality.
How amazing is this…
First, God needed me to believe that His word is the power tool I need more than any other.
Knowing that, I could then believe that with the power of His word I can smash anything that gets in the way of my being His. Anything.
These verses are now more than just head knowledge to me; not just robotically knowing some words from a book, or what color to underline them in my Bible, but really know His power through His very words.
Something real and tangible happened to my faith when I lifted it up on the wings of God’s word. Something unexpected.
God’s word truly has become a lamp on my feet, helping me to see where I am right now: in His presence, in His love.
And His word is now, more than ever before, a light on my path ahead, so I can see that the future is indeed bright and well-lit by the God who loves me enough to give me His Spirit and His very words to guide my life. (Psalm 119:105)
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I was wondering yesterday if you were still using Scripture Typer.. I will be forever grateful that you introduced me to it. It is amazing how unexpectedly what is in our hearts comes out of our mouths! Thanks for the encouragement to keep at it!
I hear ya! Scripture Typer is a little gem of a tool. The person who introduced it me described it as way to redeem our addiction to our phone. I thought that was too holy for my mind to grasp, but now I totally get it. I sit on that app when waiting for almost anything! It does indeed redeem that phone for Christ!!
Also I do find that a scripture comes out of my mouth, or to my mind on and off all day. I still struggle with chapter/verse citation, but the Spirit will lead me through that stronghold eventually…right?
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 has been a constant companion to me for a couple of years now…I can attest for myself the power of those words, and as you say, it is not only amazing, but for some reason it’s unexpected! Love what you are doing!
A long overdue spiritual practice for me, for sure! Thanks for the encouragement!
There’s something unexplainable that happens when the words of God (just the smartest person EVER) actually are given the opportunity to seep into our cells… for me that happens with repetition… and after a bit…I too am just amazed that it has become part of me… love this and am going to search out that app…
Ruth – the app is free and I’ve never upgraded to the paid version. It has truly helped remind me every day of the words of God – even if I can’t always remember where they are found (;o)
I’ve already started and its a little bit addicting!! 🙂 bless you!
I need to get back to that app because I’m famous for knowing parts of scripture and the general area they can be found in, but not the word-for-word reciting. And the older I get (maybe it’s the wise counsel of friends), the more I realize the benefit to “hiding God’s word in my heart”. 🙂
Do it, sister! You won’t regret it!
That’s so cool, to experience the power of God’s word tearing down
strongholds and giving you what you need to be the person He calls you to be. Excellent reminders of His unexpected graces.
Thanks, Sarah. This walk of faith can be so exciting if we all just breathe in his Word and let it do its thang!
I love this post, Diane. I haven’t memorized scripture in a while. I need to get back to it.
In my car, I keep a little notebook of all the scriptures I’ve memorized to date. On a long trip, I love to review them. Reviewing those verses would be a great step to getting back to this very good habit.
Thanks for the nudge!