The City of Lights suspended in darkness.
Shock and grief, horror and anger, fear and apprehension. Paris was targeted, but the whole globe shudders, and wonders, “Will we be next?”
As we watch our world grow darker, we realize we’re in a battle much bigger than ourselves, with few answers for this abominable foe. Our humanity reacts in fear and anxiety. With no intervention in our thinking, we eventually slide into despair mode.
Brothers and sisters, do you need a push to get serious about memorizing Scripture?
“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you” Isaiah 26:3.
We have an enemy who hates us—one far more powerful and dangerous than religious terrorists. Satan himself is behind these evil attacks. The terrorists are his unwitting minions.
We don’t have to live with trembling hearts. God gives us his Word to strengthen our weak knees and fortify our confidence.
Two benefits of memorizing passages:
• When a crisis comes, we’re ready in that moment with words of truth.
• God’s Word, continually on our lips, puts our focus on the Mighty One who fights for us.
This example applies to both personal and national tragedies:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”
Psalm 27:1-3
Memorize these words and the rest of the psalm. They will calm your anxious heart by keeping you connected to the One who holds your life in his hands.
Jesus told us everything the Father told him to tell us. Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33.
Please share with our community how God’s Word has been a source of peace and strength for you, when you might have otherwise been panic-stricken.
Many years ago I memorized Philippians 4:6-7. On numerous occasions, God has used these verses in my life. One example: I was overwhelmed the moment I walked outside our home after hurricane Katrina. Numerous 100 year old tall pine trees were on our house and down in the yard. A 100 year old massive oak tree – down. The top section of our chimney – blown off and on the ground. Broken windows. Limbs of pine tree had punctured the roof and were in our master bedroom. As I looked around, the Lord used His Word to settle me down: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NAS)
Wow Janet. The LIKE-mindedness factor reached the ridiculous level. When I have fear creep up in my emotions, I always know, but not because of a feeling, rather because Psalm 27 rushes into my mind with a WHOOSH, and begins quoting itself. This Psalm has an affect on me in some primal level I don’t truly understand.
Born with a bent toward fear and anxiety, my adoptive mother had the foresight to teach me Psalm 56:3. “When I am afraid; I will trust in you”.
This is the NIV84 version, which I find hilarious. My precious little adoptive mother who married at 15 years old and never had an opportunity to get further education, had at her disposal a KJV, and an ASV. That was it. Nothing more. Yet the NIV84 version she quoted to me when I was way too tiny to talk. This “mantra” saw me through big anxieties and fears in my early childhood yet would catapult me into the memorization techniques I’ve used my entire life. For the last 6 years that has been repeating Scripture. Repeating chapters and books of the Bible over and over. Out loud—whenever possible.
If you have not memorized Psalm 27, I cannot show you true friendship in any other way, than to say, “turn OFF the TV, turn OFF the radio, turn OFF the internet, and start saying Psalm 27”.
Do it out loud. Now do it again. Who freaking cares what people think.
In these frightfully and seemingly end time days; people will likely beg you to teach it to them— don’t ya know.
Hi Cherie, Things we memorize come back automatically when we need them. How many people, even some who DON’T know the Lord, will quote portions of the 23rd psalm when they are in a desperate situation? Or, the Lord’s prayer? These are Scriptures many people learned as a child. They come back in times of fear. Oh the power of God’s Word.
Have finished committing Proverbs 3 to memory and with this “terror” that the world is experiencing, I have thought “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” (verses 25-26) Notice it does not say “if” it comes, but “when” it comes. I’m peaceful when I know the Lord is my confidence.
Perfect Vickie. That’s exactly what we’re talking about. And there’s so many: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the sea…. Psalm 46