Meditating and memorizing scripture can sound like a daunting task, especially in a world where moving fast, consuming a lot of information, and checking off as much as possible on your todo list feels like success.
But this process is exactly the opposite. It is about slowing down and letting the Lord write His words on your heart. I have no doubt that if you lean into this process, He will speak directly to you through his Word by his Spirit and enlighten you about the needs and direction of your daily life.
Every year I pray about and set an intention for my faith. For the last several years I have read through the bible. First, I used the Bible Recap podcast to listen through the entire bible a couple of years in a row. For the last two years I asked others to join me in reading the New Testament in a year. You can read the NT in a year by reading 5 chapters a week, totally doable! Reading both the whole and then narrowing down to the New Testament over a year was incredibly rewarding, and I would say something every believer should work to accomplish if you want to know the God you follow and the whole picture of what you believe.
But this year the Lord is calling me to a slow and steady rhythm with his words.
Meditate on and memorize chunks of scripture at a time.
I have done this before; here is how this can look as a daily practice:
First – Accountability
I have tried this solo. But you need people. Just one other person willing to take this journey is all it takes. If you are feeling called to do this practice, take a step of faith and ask someone to join you.
Second – Pick a portion of scripture for meditation
Reading scripture in context is really vital for understanding its full meaning. Let’s look at what’s probably a familiar verse for an example.
Jer 29:11 NIV
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
If we memorize this one verse we have a nice little feel good in our pocket when we need to pick me up. But what is the context this verse sits in? You can look at, meditate on it, and study the whole of or larger chunk of the chapter to get not just more meaning but understanding of who God is and what he wants for his people in their situation and ultimately in your own.
Jeremiah 29:4-14
4 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6 Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7 Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” 8 Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. 9 They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
Now we can start to see the larger story. God’s people have been exiled. They live under an evil dictator, their homes and lives have been destroyed. Lots of people they knew are now dead, and others are lying to them. Who remains is a remnant of the people. But God tells them to prosper where he has them. And to pray for the nation that they will live under for the next seventy years. It is in this very exile that we get the stories of Daniel and the Lions Den and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego saved from the fiery furnace. It is in this context that the Lord says he has plans to prosper you.
After you have chosen a portion of scripture, spend a little time each day or several days a week meditating over it. Reading it over and over, thinking about its meaning. Looking at what comes before and after. Use a good study bible and its context notes. Instead of 5-10 minutes reading one chapter and then moving to the next, spend weeks reading, listening and studying the one portion you have chosen. And let the revelation of its deep meaning come to life in a new way.
Third – Set a goal for memorization
You will want to set a goal. Do not rush it, and you can always make changes as you go, but if you do not have a goal at the front end, it can be easy to stop moving forward.
From experience I would say commit to memory 1-2 verses a week. This may vary depending on how long each verse is. Paul has some pretty lengthy verses in his letters.
Make the verses the screensaver on your phone.
Put a post it note on your mirror and in your car.
When you are driving, folding laundry and doing dishes, practice your verses.
Try turning the verse into a prayer.
Each week or two when you hit the predetermined goal, recite the verse to your partner memorizing with you. You can work your way up saying a verse at a time until you have the whole of the chosen segment memorized.
Meet in person, call them up on the phone, or use a video app like Marco Polo to recite the verses to one another.
Is it a little awkward at first? Yes! Yes, at first it is awkward and scary, but then it turns into something really beautiful. Discuss the ways that God has spoken to you and what insights you have gleaned from meditating on this portion of scripture. This does not have to take long. It could be in person at weekly/bi monthly meetings or it could be on a phone call while sitting in the carpool line. Once you reach your goal, set a new one!
Results
Maybe the thought crosses your mind, won’t it get old or boring focusing on one thing for a longer period of time?
My experience in a process like this is the longer you sit with a small portion of scripture the more magnificent it becomes. The depth and width of the miraculous work of God through black and white letters on a page truly become living and active, piercing your very soul. If you have ever wanted to hear more from God. This is it.
When you are driving from one place to the next, cooking dinner or doing your best to turn your mind off at night so you can finally rest… This practice takes the very heartbeat of God and infiltrates them into the mundane moments of your everyday life.
Live well friends,
Christy
