3 Reasons Why Memorizing Scripture is Helpful in Everyday Life (Post #3: Guidance)
I saw something recently that said, “We used to print out 4 pages of Map Quest directions and travel like pirates!” Those were the good old days. Road trippin’ without a phone telling you where to turn. It’s no wonder I spent half my college years lost and asking for directions!
Even now, despite the abundance of directions and information we have at our fingertips in seconds, many people still live their daily lives lost and without direction. This is not what God wants for us!
In Scripture, God provides not only the path to Heaven, but He also gives directions for a path of purpose on Earth.
Psalm 19:8 says, “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”
Psalm 19:8 gives us 3 reasons why we should memorize Scripture:
It gives us a moral compass
It gives us joy
It gives us guidance
This post will focus on reason #3. Check out my previous posts about morality and joy.
Memorizing Scripture Gives Guidance
The last reason Psalm 19:8 gives us for memorizing Scripture is that it gives us guidance.
Psalm 19:8 says, “The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.”
Imagine this: you’re out camping with your family, and you venture out on your own to explore. Daylight starts fading fast, leaving you alone in an unfamiliar area in the dark. This is the stuff horror movies are made of, right? As you’re lost in the dark, what one simple item would make a huge difference for you? (Other than a smartphone with GPS. Come on, work with me, here!)
A flashlight!
Psalm 19:8 paints a picture of God’s Word giving us light when we need it most. And descriptions of God’s Word as a light are found all throughout the Bible. It’s a simple image that we can all connect with. No matter who you are or where you live, light is pretty important - especially when you’re in the dark.
Light provides comfort
Darkness can be scary, but adding light to the equation makes fears scurry away. When my kids were little, they were sometimes afraid of the dark. They would beg for an extra light to be left on during the night. Why? Because light brings comfort. It helps us feel warm and safe. Light shows us the reality of our surroundings so we can clearly see there aren’t really any monsters lurking under our beds.
God’s Word is full of reminders that the God we serve is all-mighty and all-knowing. Nothing is too difficult for Him; nothing surprises Him. When we hide His Word in our hearts, we possess timely truths that remind us the dark is not darkness to Him. In fact, for God, the darkness shines like the noonday sun! (see Psalm 139:12). Scripture comforts us by reminding us that the God who made the darkness is master over it, and He will walk us through even the scariest unknowns.
Light gives guidance
A flashlight in a dark makes you feel more comfortable, plus it helps you see in front of you. Light can help you see your next step. Shining your flashlight up ahead warns you of things to avoid and reveals which way to walk.
Though a flashlight is a small thing, it completely changes your experience in the dark. You go from lost and fearful to calm and confident just by flicking on the light. When you have light, you go from stumbling blindly to walking confidently.
God’s Word works like a flashlight in our lives. The world we live in is dark. Sometimes it's hard to see where God is working or which way to go. There are dangers looming ahead. Dead-end paths are everywhere. And it’s easy to feel alone, afraid and confused.
But when we memorize God’s Word, we can bring His promises to the front of our hearts and minds. Suddenly we have light! The dark isn’t so scary anymore. Though the entire road may not be illuminated, we can see where to take our next step, and a sense of warmth and comfort reminds us who’s still in charge. Scripture gives us the guidance and direction we need to take the next step with wisdom and confidence.
Psalm 19:8 is short and sweet, but it’s packed full of important truth. This verse reminds us that committing Bible verses to memory helps us know right from wrong, stirs up joy within us, and gives us guidance when we need it most. Memorizing God’s Word is like packing your flashlight before a night hike. You memorize Scripture before you need it, just like you pack the light before it gets dark. It may not seem like a big deal beforehand, but you’ll be glad you did it when the darkness falls.
