Our Ladies Bible Study is going through Beth Moore's newest Bible Study "James: Mercy Triumphs." If you haven't had the pleasure...you should splurge. It's definately a keeper.
In the study, she encourages us to memorize the Book. "Memo-WHAT?" you might ask? Well, to be honest, I have memorized the book of James before. In a former I-know-I-need-something-more, very YOUNG Christian walk. It was my former Music Pastor's idea when I felt I was being prompted by the Holy Spirit to fast for the very first time. His words of encouragemnet were "when you begin to feel hungry, feed your mind. Memorize the book of James...your body will feel full as you fill your mind with God's Word." And it worked.
My problem is that all these years later (about 25 years actually), I can only remember bits and pieces. The first chapter and then some random verses from chapters 4 and 5. And I struggle with the memorization much as I did oh-so-many years ago. But that isn't what bothers me...I think we ALL have that problem...remembering. Sometimes we can "come up" with a scripture we "forgot" we knew...and surprise ourselves at how close we were when reciting it during a time of crisis or encouragement.
What bothers me is that memorizing God's word should not be done just for memorization sake. Not because it seems like a good idea, because; after all, hiding God's Word in your heart and mind is a commandment...right? And not because memorizing the Word makes us look or seem Godly to our peers. "Oh, she KNOWS God's Word...right off the top of her head!" Memorizing the Word certainly does NOT make you more..."GODLY".
It's knowing God's Word and LIVING God's Word. You may be able to quote James chapters 1-5 to me verbatim in the KING JAMES, but if you cannot live, say, James 5:9: "Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.", it doesn't matter if you can quote it to me at the snap of a finger; if you cannot PROVE His Word through your life, your words are just rhetoric. (The Message says it like this: "Friends, don't complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.")
The closing of every Sunday in our little church: "Do not be hearers of the Word, but doers also" (James 1:22). Being a "doer" means we forgive one another our petty little gripes and grievances...we move on...we do not allow the Enemy to take a foothold in our relationships or in our pulpits. We don't allow gossip in our churches...we practice what we've memorized!
Memorizing is a very good thing. Understanding and putting those truths into practice is even better. It behooves us to know that "...the effectual, fervant prayer of a righteous man availeth much." And "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."
These words are powerful...and they should wield power in our everyday lives. Not just collect dust in our minds. Live it. Do it. Breathe it. Practice it. BE it.
"But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness." James 3:17-18.
Peace and Praise...
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