In Your Head and Heart

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:7-9

“Dad! I think you’ve got a bite!” Angelina pointed to the bright yellow bobber on her father’s fishing line. It was madly dancing up and down.

“Oh, you’re right!” Dad quickly raised his pole and reeled in a fish. The boat bobbed gently in the breeze as he took the fish off the hook and put it into the bucket of water.

“You almost lost him, Dad,” Angelina said. “Guess you were daydreaming, huh? Thinking about our vacation next week?”

Dad shook his head. “I wasn’t exactly daydreaming. I was thinking about a Bible verse I memorized this morning. I don’t want to forget it.”

“I thought only us kids had to learn Bible verses,” said Angelina in surprise. “I didn’t think grown-ups had to memorize them anymore.”

Dad smiled. “Would you be surprised to know I used to think the same thing? I thought once I graduated from school, I’d never have to study and learn anything again. But it’s amazing how much fun learning actually becomes as you get older.”

“Really?” Angelina could hardly believe it.

“Yes, for me anyway,” said Dad. “And it’s a good idea for all of us to keep memorizing verses. Knowing God’s Word by heart lets you think about it when your hands are busy—like right now, while we’re out here fishing in the boat.”

“I guess it would be kinda hard to hold a fishing pole and read the Bible at the same time,” said Angelina with a grin.

Dad laughed. “That’s right. Another thing I like about memorizing Bible verses is that when bad thoughts or temptations come, a verse I’ve learned will often pop into my mind. Bible verses remind me that I belong to Jesus and help me not give in to the temptation to do wrong things.”

Angelina was thoughtful. “I guess there’s lots more to memorizing Bible verses than just winning contests at church, isn’t there?”

“Definitely,” agreed Dad. “Learn the verses assigned to you and keep reviewing them. They’ll help you as you grow in your relationship with Jesus, which doesn’t stop when you’re done with school—it’s a lifelong process. You can never learn too many, and you’ll find they comfort and encourage you as they come to your mind over and over.” • Catherine Runyon

How About You?

What do you understand best—something you know by heart or something you’ve read once or twice? If you memorize Bible verses and have God’s Word in your head, it will also go deeper and deeper into your heart and life. It will be there when you need it. It takes time and work to memorize, but having God’s Word in your heart is well worth the effort it takes to put it there.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 40:8 Your law is within my heart. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Memorize Bible verses