Scripture Lived Is Scripture Remembered

One of my biggest fears in life is losing my memory. Dementia runs through much of my family tree, and I've watched how cruel a disease it can be. I pray every Sunday afternoon when we host nursing home church services that I will never have to be taken care of in a facility because my memory is gone. And at the same time I praise God for people willing and gifted to work with people who need them at that time in their life.

Part of that fear stems from a mild inability to memorize Scripture. I've tried numerous times to memorize the Proverbs 31 Woman (I can do the first half!) and Psalm 143 (I've got the first half of that one, too.) but I struggle to get them to click completely. I'd love to be able to match up Scripture references like Ephesians 6:10-18 with the whole armor of God. But the numbers throw me off - I know the verses and what they mean, but I can't always remember where they are. My brain just needs a little help rewiring that way.

The verses that are easiest to remember are the ones we live. They come off the paper and flow from a place of experience.

When you've dedicated your marriage to being a help meet for your husband and prayed that God will show you how, you know that God made woman out of man's rib in Genesis 2.

When there have been so many life changes that you feel like you're sinking in fear, you know that Joshua 1 has a direct message from God to be strong and courageous as you follow the unswerving path He has laid out for you.

When you've stayed awake for days crying and praying and asking for God's help just to survive, you know that your prayer has been heard just like Hannah's was in 1 Samuel 2.

When your past is full of struggle and battle and spiritual warfare, you're fully aware of how important is it to finally dwell safely under your own vine and fig tree like they did in the days of Solomon in 1 Kings 4.

And when it's time to go to battle again, to fight the good fight of faith against a spiritual enemy that never gives up, you know what Nehemiah talked about in chapter 4 when he described working with one hand and holding a weapon in the other.

When you've relied on Jesus Christ to lead you to green pastures, still waters, paths of righteousness and the valley of the shadow of death, you know the goodness and mercy in the 23rd Psalm.

When miracles have taken place in your own life, you know where to look in the gospels for Jesus' miracles that coincide - loaves and fish, healing, bringing back life.

When you've experienced salvation and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for yourself, you know to turn to John 20 and relive the resurrection all over again.

And when you're ready to reread the excitement of the new heaven and the earth that are coming sooner than we can know, turn to Revelation 21. Be reminded that no matter what terrible things are happening in the world around us, we've read the back of the book and we win!

Scripture lived is Scripture remembered. Bring the words off the page of your Bible this week and make them come alive. Jesus lived them ... now it's your turn.

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