Revival – The Christian Memorizing God’s Word

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”    Ephesians 3:20.

One of Charles Finney’s definition of revival is that it is “a new beginning of obedience to God.” Many would ask, how can this happen? The answer is not quick or easy. It is multifaceted as to the answer to this question. However, one simple solution lives in the memorization of God’s Word. In addition to studying, reading, meditating and hearing God’s Word, memorizing is very important to the life of the individual. It helps us to not sin against God. Psalm 119:11 says, I have hidden your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Sin is never blessed by God. It destroys, erodes morality, brings hardship, kills virtue, and steals joy. The Bible says sin also hinders our prayers. Psalm 66:18 says, If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;” and…if we really are intent on obeying God we must admit that sin is never a friend to revival.

Now is where this devotional reading gets very personal. I dare not hide under the pretense that the memorizing of scripture is great for everyone else in the kingdom, but I cannot do it. I used to do it. I’m too old. I have never had a good memory. I can’t remember names. On and on people’s excuses go. “O God, deliver us from these excuses!”  Listen, if you really want God in your life, your church, in your family and circle of your associates, you must own the fact that you can choose some things intentionally that make an everyday difference. Memorizing scripture will bring great dividends. God has shown this to be true in my life since I became a Christian almost 40 years ago. When you hide His Word in your heart, then the Holy Spirit can quicken your subconscious anytime and bring that Word to the surface of your mind. It will bless you, strengthen you in the hour of temptation and bring fresh resolve to your heart to obey God. If memorization is difficult for you, then take some baby steps by memorizing some brief phrases from the Bible. Here are a dozen of them:

 Practice these short phrases. Recite them. Make some memory cards and carry them with you. This discipline will richly reward your investment of time and focus. You will begin to obey God in a fresh way. Christians will be challenged. Lost people will notice. God will be praised. Revival will come, and God will use you to help bring it to pass.

Prayer: Lord, help me to memorize your Word, so that I may be strengthened in my faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

by Dave Childers

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