Memory Moleskine - Image by Tim Brister

My Memory Moleskine: God’s Timing for Certain Texts

Memory Moleskine - Image by Tim Brister

This week I’ve been working through Philippians 2:19-30 while at the same time preparing to preach on Psalm 1:1-6.

What’s been interesting is how God’s been using Psalm 1 to apply the principles I’m learning through memorizing Philippians. Here’s what I mean:

In Psalm 1, the Psalmist writes that the man who delights in the law of the Lord, who meditates on it day and night is blessed. Why? Because the Holy Spirit is working on him and in him, conforming him more and more to the image of Christ, giving him a heart for the things that He cares about. The man who delights in the Word of God bears much fruit.

In memorizing Philippians this week, that’s what I’ve noticed in Timothy and Epaphroditus. There is no one like Timothy, Paul says, “who will be genuinely concerned for your [the Philippians] welfare.” Likewise, Epaphroditus longs to see the Philippians again and is “distressed because [they] have heard he was ill.”

These two model the command Paul gives in Phil 2:3-4. In humility, they count others more significant than themselves, and look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others.

They are, as the psalmist wrote, “like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither.” (Psalm 1:3) The Spirit’s work is evident in them and they are bearing fruit.

Anyway, that’s pretty much been my week in the text. Like I said, I’m preaching this weekend, so if you could keep me in your prayers, I’d greatly appreciate it.

What’s God been teaching you through your memorization this week?

1 thought on “My Memory Moleskine: God’s Timing for Certain Texts”

  1. You have your work cut out for you. Psalm 1 and I are always in angst, for many times I see wicked prosper, and righteous folks withering. It is as if THEY , the righteous alone, are carrying the Cross for Christ, and the wicked.
    Perhaps we must wait until we are in God’s economy for the scales of justice to balance.

    Worse, I have seen godly church elders, cheat the poor in their business, or even have a pool put in their yard by estimate of the owner, but invitation to return “on the side” to the workers of the owner….saving $5,000. I watched my last view of Integrity in this elder evaporate as the pool water filled.

    Psalm 1:1-6

    ” 1 Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
    or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
    2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
    3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
    and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.
    4 Not so the wicked!
    They are like chaff
    that the wind blows away.
    5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

    6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

    Perhaps all the lines are vexing, but verse 5 promises sinners will not stand in the assembly of the righteous.
    Um, we are all sinners. But when the person is in a godly position, elder, or the like, the damage to truth is far greater, to the Body of Christ. If you can’t trust these folks, who can you trust?

    I am reserving my comment on Philippians memorization until you get to my favorite verse: Phil 4:8.

    But memorization in general is a command. As Christ was tempted in the desert by satan, it was weapons of words used in battle; scripture was quoted by a Christ who memorized Old Testament scripture.
    In Ephesians 6:10-20, the Armor of God is gifted to believers for protection. Wear it always. Employ it too.
    Five items are defensive items to protect the Christian. However, ONE item is used to go on the offense into enemy territory…..The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

    You can not employ the Word of God as a –“sWord”– unless you know the Word and have memorized it. The Holy Spirit prompts the precise words required in any battle at any time with satan, and he MUST fall back then. (James 4….Submit (choose) God; Resist satan….and the order is very specific there).

    I also recommend memorizing Psalm 91 (pure protection) and, Romans 12:1-2 coupled with Philippians 4:8
    Romans 12:1-2 tells you the purpose of your life; Philippians 4:8 tells you how to do Romans 12:1-2.

    The more anyone memorizes and quotes OUT LOUD, the more effective their Christian power becomes.
    Satan is a created being; he cannot read your mind. But he can hear your speech.
    Does it reveal your anxiety? Fears? Hurts and wounds? Criticism? Gossip?
    He will exascerbate all of those and more, as you speak them aloud.

    But speaking Scripture (memorized and spoken, or read aloud) is speech that terrifies satan.
    It reveals to darkness that you are one of those Christ-people; children of light.
    And everyone knows there can be NO fellowship between light and darkness.
    Anyone who looks up and sees a star on a dark night has seen the darkness removed.

    Your request for prayer is answered; and will continue to be answered.
    It is written; “Ask, and you shall receive, eh?”

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