This past week we saw a confirmation hearing for the approval of the latest appointment to the Supreme Court. Throughout several days of intense questioning, Judge Amy Coney Barrett answered in detail, citing laws that had been passed, decisions that had been made, precedents that had been set, and quotations from previous justices at their hearings. Each Senator had a staff of assistants to prepare their particular line of questioning and came equipped with folders full of resources to use during the inquisition. However, one Senator noticed that Judge Barret did not have any papers in front of her except for a lone notepad. He asked the judge what she had written on the notepad and she held up the pad for all to see there was nothing written on it! She had spent days before the committee answering all sorts of questions with tact and aplomb without referencing a single note. Every answer, quotation, and legal precedent provided came from her own memory.
All of this got me thinking about the question: How would we do as Christians if put before a committee to defend our faith? Would we have answers to the tough questions? Would we have a Bible verse to recite? Especially as we get older, we tend to neglect the importance of exercising our memories. Memorizing Bible verses is something we did in Sunday School. We get comfortable with what we know and feel that our time for learning is in the past. But what does Scripture have to say?
Psalm 119:11 gives us one of the key reasons we need to memorize – “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” How does memorizing keep us from sinning? First, God’s truth helps us identify sin. We wouldn’t know right from wrong without the Word of God. Second, God’s truth convicts us of sin. The Holy Spirit takes the Scripture you have memorized and applies it to your life (John 14:26). You can’t have true conviction of sin in your life until God’s Word is stored deep within you and the Holy Spirit brings that truth in front of you when the circumstances of life warrant it.
Another reason why memorizing is so important is because it transforms our character into something that is more like Jesus Christ. Romans 12:2 tells us to “be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Our mindset is changed when we are dwelling on the things of God. It is only when your mind is transformed and aligned with God’s truth that you will truly find God’s will for your life. When you are living according to the will of God, both you and everyone around you will recognize a transformation.
Finally, we memorize because we need to be equipped to answer those that would doubt our faith. 1 Peter 3:15 tell us to “sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” To “sanctify” brings with it the idea of setting apart, to dwell upon, to make a special provision in your life for the Lord. When your mind is filled with His truth, when you are dwelling on Him, when your relationship with Him is elevated above all else in your life, you will be ready to give an answer when the tough questions come.
So, make the decision this week to get back to the basics and memorize God’s Word. It is never too late and you are never too old. Strive to be like this justice who was able to hold up a blank notepad when asked about her notes. Keep God’s truth stored up in your mind. It will keep you from sin, transform your life, and equip you to answer those that question your faith.