Hiding God’s Word in Their Hearts

In his article Why Memorize Scripture (which, by the way, you should definitely read), John Piper lists several reasons for memorizing Scripture:

• Conformity to Christ
• Daily triumph over Satan
• Daily triumph over sin
• Comfort and counsel for people you love
• Communicating the Gospel to unbelievers
• Communion with God in the enjoyment of His person and His ways

I’ve recently learned another reason for us stay-at-home moms to memorize Scripture ourselves by quoting it aloud several times a day:

• We will be hiding God’s Word in our children’s hearts–without them even knowing it!

The kids and I were sitting at dinner. Daniel was working late. I was focused on feeding Micah, and Mara as usual was talking incessantly. She began muttering something quietly, and I didn’t pay close attention at first. So I only caught the last half.

She was saying, ” . . . workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Then she looked at me with a mischievous smile–as if to say, ‘Betcha didn’t know I knew that one, did you?’

She was quoting Ephesians 2:10–a verse I memorized almost a month and a half ago–and haven’t quoted since! It really amazed me–not that she was capable of memorizing (because she has memorized other verses). But this was one of my verses. I don’t think I ever heard her quote it while I was actually working on it!

God actually used my daughter to encourage me to keep memorizing Scripture! I need God’s Word, in my life. And hopefully, as I am faithful, my children too will reap all its benefits in the future as God takes His word and works it in their hearts as well!