In my 45 years of walking with Jesus, two spiritual practices have strengthened and encouraged my soul as much as anything else.
What are those two practices?
- Memorizing God’s Word
- Meditating on God’s Word
Memorizing God’s Word allows you to have it readily accessible 24/7.
Find yourself troubled in the middle of the night? God’s Word is instantly there to comfort your heart and quiet your mind.
Meeting with a friend who needs encouragement? The Spirit brings to mind a passage you memorized that can encourage their soul.
Meditating on God’s Word is what takes the memorized Word and helps apply it to the specific circumstances and situations of your life.
Meditating on God’s Word is one of the keys to a transformed heart and changed life. Simply reading, studying, and listening to God’s Word isn’t enough. Meditation roots it into the very fiber of our being.
I’ve put together 12 brief passages of Scripture that have proven immensely helpful throughout my walk with Christ that you may want to consider committing to memory in 2022 (one passage per month).
If one passage per month is too much, take one every 2-3 months.
Here are the twelve passages:
JANUARY
Romans 8:31-32 ESV[31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?
FEBRUARY
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, [2] looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
MARCH
Isaiah 41:9-10 ESV[9] … I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; [10] fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
APRIL
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV[24] Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. [25] Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. [26] So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. [27] But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
[28] Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
[16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. [17] And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
[43] You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? [47] And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
AUGUST
[38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
SEPTEMBER
[7] Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. [8] For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. [9] And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. [10] So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
OCTOBER
[14] Do all things without grumbling or disputing, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…
NOVEMBER
[12] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, [13] bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
DECEMBER
[15] For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Here are a few resources to help begin your journey to memorize and meditate on God’s Word:
1) How To Memorize Scripture (free E-Book from Navigators)
2) 4 Steps to Memorizing more Scripture
3) 7 Best Bible Memorization Apps
4) 17 Ways to Meditate on Scripture
5) 22 Benefits of Meditating on Scripture
6) 5 Steps to Meditating on your Bible
Psalm 119:9-11 ESV
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.