OYB: January 3

Today’s reading:
OT: Genesis 5, Genesis 6, Genesis 7
NT: Matthew 3, Matthew 4:1-11
Ps: Psalm 3
Pr: Proverbs 1:10-19

Today’s notable verse:

But you are a shield around me, O Lord; you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

Psalm 3:3 (NIV)

The One Year Bible Blog notes:

One other important point to make in Matthew 4:4 and the 2 other temptations in this chapter. We see the devil tempting Jesus with things that may look enticing to Jesus or to us. But they are lies. And note – this is important – how Jesus fends off the devil’s temptations and lies – by quoting scripture! Jesus knew scripture (well, yes, technically he is scripture…:) But, the point is this. I do believe that we need to do more than just read the Bible. We need to memorize many portions of the Bible to protect us when the devil is attacking. If we have scripture memorized, when we are tempted, we can quickly call to mind a verse or two that will bring us back into right state of mind – focusing back on God, Jesus, and their love and strength available through the Holy Spirit. If we don’t have scripture memorized, as Jesus clearly did in this chapter, we are at risk of falling prey to the deception and lies of the temptation. So – I am mostly preaching this to myself! 🙂 But, I really want to do more memorization of scripture in 2006. I have several verses down – but not enough. Proverbs 3:5-6 certainly comes to mind for me often when I am worried or stressed and it transforms my state of mind immediately! Actually – if anyone else out there memorizes scripture, please post up in the Comments section below? I would love to know which verses you have found useful in your life? And – if anyone has advice on how to best go about memorizing scripture, please post that up too! Are you memorizing scripture on a regular basis? Are you bringing scripture to mind when faced with temptation or sadness or whatever ails you? Will you join me in my plan to memorize more scripture verses in 2006?

It is written… What an amazing testament to power of the Word! Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith – resisted Satan with these three, simple words. How important is knowing the Word? This passage should answer this question definitively. Satan tempted Jesus’ physical cravings, tempted Jesus to “put God to the test,” and tempted Jesus’ obedience to God’s will for his life. In each case, Jesus resisted and refuted Satan with the Word. God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear, but when we are tempted, He will provide a way out, so that we can stand up from under it – but what is that way He provides? His Word! But to be useful, Scripture must be memorized, internalized – lived.

I started memorizing Scripture practically as far back as I have memory. My church, and especially Sunday school classes, encouraged it. My parents reinforced it. The short-term youth mission organization I worked with required daily Scripture memorization on all mission projects. By the time I was in high school, I was memorizing entire books of the Bible for Bible Bowl competitions. (My freshman year, I memorized Matthew; Sophomore year, I memorized I Kings; Junior year, I/II Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians; Senior year, Exodus.) Now, I can’t still quote all those books; to do that requires daily recitation. But, it’s amazing how the Spirit will bring back something from a part of the Bible I’ve memorized at just the right time, to answer a question, provide a word of wisdom, or otherwise help in a given situation. Several of my favorite scriptures will show up in the daily verse (CB.Word) script in the left-hand sidebar.

I’m sure others have myriad means of memorization, but I have always just used rote memorization and repetition. In high school, I could memorize a chapter or two a week, just memorizing one line at a time. I think, though, there would be great benefit in choosing a verse each day from the daily reading, and memorize it. Today, I have chosen Psalm 3:3.