Psalm 119:11
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
When I was growing up, this verse was sometimes used to get children to memorize scripture. Teachers used the fear of sin and God’s judgment to push your nose into the text. Sin is tempting but leads to God’s wrath. Memorize scripture or you’ll fall into it! I think they were right; fear of punishment is a fair and helpful motivator, but it’s not the only one.
God’s word is full of a beauty that captures the heart. When I memorize those words they open up in my mind like a remembered view of Zion Canyon or the sunset over the Pacific. They calm, inspire, invigorate, and woo. They put the true God back into my world and leave the sin I was tempted by to shrivel away. Find and memorize that beauty today.
Prayer prompt: Lord, open up Your word so that I can’t sleep until I store it up in my heart.