People of the Word

My eyes need help…lots of help. So, I wear contacts during the day and glasses at night. This “need” became more apparent to me one night last week, after I took out my contacts. I didn’t realize that I hadn’t placed my glasses in the usual place the night before. Needless to say, I was basically blind. I searched and searched, but to no avail. I looked like Velma on Scooby Doo trying desperately to find her glasses, but unable to see they were right in front of her face.

I usually read my Bible at night, but this night, I couldn’t see It to read It. I actually tried, but to no avail. As I lay there thinking about the fact that I couldn’t read my Bible whenever I wanted to - an unusual thought came to my mind. If my Bible was ever taken away from me, what would I do? Would I know enough Scripture to be able to quote it back to myself, when I needed it? Would my mind pull up the verses I needed for strength and comfort, or would I flounder, wishing I’d spent more time memorizing what I said was most important to me?

I’m sorry to say - the latter would probably be my lot.

That thought caused a deep stirring in me to memorize more of the Word of God. I had made it a practice several years ago to study and memorize the Word faithfully, but in the last few years, other things have seemed to take precedence. That’s just like Satan, don’t you think – convincing us that other things are more important, so that we won’t be able to use the Sword of the Spirit against him when we need to.

Ps. 119:11 says “I have hidden Thy Word in my heart that I might not sin against You,” Ps119:105 says “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path,” and Colossians 3 challenges us to “let the Word of Christ dwell richly” in us.

I know it’s hard to memorize. I know it’s hard to focus, but if we are to call ourselves the “People of God,” then we need to be “People of the Word.” We need to know what God desires, and the only way to do that is to know what He says.

Whether we realize it or not, God’s Word is our very Life…our Source of Strength…our connection to God, Himself. And yet, few of us could make the claim that we have secured more than 20 verses of His precious Word in our hearts. I challenge you, along with myself, to begin now. If you don’t think you can do it, get someone else involved. Memorize Scripture together and encourage one another to do so. Just like walking for your health, it’s a whole lot easier to do when there’s someone else knocking at your door, waiting on you to appear dressed and ready to sweat!

May our lives be characteristic of those filled with the Word of God. May our Bibles truly be our Swords. May Satan tremble as we stand in opposition to him and quote Truth against his lies. May we be “People of the Word”…really.


Thank You, Lord, for Your Word, for it is our very connection to You. Thank You that as we seek to cause Your Word to dwell in us, You are pleased. Thank You, Lord for Your promises. Thank You.