I first began memorizing Scripture in earnest three years ago, when I had been a Christian for eight years and found myself asking, Is this all there is? I wanted spiritual maturity, mastery over my thought life regardless of circumstance, and a deeper knowledge and love for Christ. In short, I wanted Christ to dwell in me richly.
He hears our prayers. Our tears–are they not in His book? Philippians was my starter book, followed by James, 1 Thessalonians, 1 Corinthians (at end of ch 7), Psalm 119, 1 John, Ephesians (starting ch 5), Genesis (in ch 1, day 5).
Seasons occur occasionally which keep me from engaging in this beloved pursuit, but is His word not hidden in my heart? In the beginning I would spend several hours at night in this glorious endeavor, but time constraints have led me to incorporate it in with my Bible study. There are times when my brain needs a break, a time to rest, reflect, savor and digest God’s word at greater length, so to prevent spiritual indigestion I take time off, maybe several days or a week, or longer.
It saddens me that other Christians tend to believe that memorizing Scripture is beyond their ability or that they are too busy, or worse, that it’s a form of legalism, when rather it is an awesome enterprise and often lonely, but a labor of love for which there is no substitute. Diamonds require mining; they won’t be found on the surface.
His word is the anchor of my soul, drawing me closer to Him, helping me “to keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” My prayer life, thought life, and emotions have come under the canopy of His word.
Janet sent me her book several years ago, which was a great encouragement. To know there was someone else doing what I was doing made it less lonely. And today I learned of Janet’s blog, read the posts and found a community of like-minded people! Who would have thunk it? God is good.
Kathryn, Thank you for sharing your story with us. God’s Word sustains us and changes us. And we get to tell others about the joy.
Kathryn, so glad you didn’t settle for less and you have been digging for those diamonds! There is something so encouraging about knowing we aren’t alone in memorizing his Word. So glad for your testimony and that of the others who have come forward here. We are walking the same road.
What I left out: my mother and main supporter in my diamond mining endeavors. Thank you, Mama! Bless you, Janet.
Amen Kathryn!!! Loved reading your encouraging testimony and how The Lord had been leading you on your own to hide His Word in your heart then how our faithful God connected you with others who likewise hunger to hide more and more of His Word in our heart.
Kathryn, Thank you so much for sharing! How encouraging your story is! Your dedication to this “mining” adventure is inspiring. I especially agree with your statement on how sad it is that Christians don’t believe they can memorize. I am proof that God will bless those who seek Him and search for the “diamonds” in His Word. God bless you!
Thank you, Kathryn, for sharing your story! So grateful the Lord hears our prayers and draws us closer to Himself. May you continue to be blessed in your pursuit of Him and hiding His Word in your heart!
It has been such a joy to watch our Lord working in Kathryn’s life these past years and I’m amazed at how she has stored up His word in her heart. She is definitely a ‘no compromise’ person who stands firm in the Word and in following our Lord and she has been such a inspiration to me! This mother definitely has learned from her daughter and is so very thankful! I plan to try to store more of the Word in my heart though it is difficult as we grow older it can still be done! I too want to bring honor to Him as Kathryn does!
“Diamonds require mining; they won’t be found on the surface.”
I love this! I really enjoyed your story, Kathryn.
Kathryn, love your story!! I love your description of God’s Word as the anchor of your soul and your desire for Christ to dwell in you richly. Well said. You have encouraged me greatly.
Thank you all for your responses and encouraging words! I have read all of your posts and Friday stories and am amazed and encouraged by each of you. It would be awesome to have your stories in a book as I am partial to hard copy (Janet?)
Kathryn, that is a fantastic idea. We could have the first year all compiled with everyone’s picture. That would be 52 stories – very doable.
Yes!!! And can you also include some or all of your blog posts in the book as well? Wow, how exciting!!! Thank you, Janet! “He does exceedingly above all that we ask or think.”
Kathryn,
You are so right, “it is a labor of love for which there is no substitute.” Beautiful. And lonely, maybe, for memorization like this is a physically solitary pursuit, but as we all know, the Lord is with us during those times, and, oh what joy!!!
Bless you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your heart. Scripture memorization of this caliber is most definitely a labor of love. I’m so glad you discovered it and are finding the benefits that we mega-memorizers are privy to. I consider it an absolute privilege to be counted amongst this amazing group of people who have the same passion for Gods Word that I have, and I love that you feel the same way. Thanks Kathryn.
Thank you so much for sharing all of this, Kathryn! What an encouragement to see all the books and sections you have taken on so far. If you don’t mind, will you tell us some about your process for choosing what you memorize?
Thank u so much, Helen, and for your question. It boils down to which book will teach me, give me understanding, in a particular area in which I need building up. For example, I chose Genesis because of the battle raging between those who believe in evolution and those who believe in God’s special creation as recorded in Genesis. What does God say in His word? That’s what I want to know and to be able to graciously defend. Also, Genesis is the foundation for all that follows, so I want that foundation hidden in my heart. I chose 1 Corinthians because I wanted greater understanding of the church, how the body of Christ should relate to one another with Christ as our foundation. I chose James and 1 John so that I would better understand the depth of God’s love and be able to love Him and others more. “By this we know love,because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” And so on…
Kathryn,
It is such a delight to get to hear these specifics and how you described being built up in each area by your Scripture choices. Thank you again. I look forward to hearing more from you on this
blog!
Helen, your question has stirred the pot… Thanksgiving morning is here, a beautiful sunny day, and a time of reflection… Some passages of Scripture have been pressed upon me. I was in was in a slough of despond when Ps 130 redeemed me from the pit of despair. See in this psalm the tender care our Lord has for His children, even when we feel ourselves to be unworthy, even when others think that of us as well. Verse 3 represents to me one of the most beautiful question and answer in all of Scripture, and also a hope-inspiring and lovely testament of our God’s unwavering, unchanging covenant with His people and the depth of His loyalty and love.