Learning My Father's Language

"The wisest man I ever knew taught me some things I never forgot.

And although I never forgot them,

I never quite memorized them either.

So what I'm left with is the memory of having

learned some very wise things that I can't quite remember." 

(Unknown)

I like to memorize long passages of scripture.  I realize that with free and easy access to the written Word of God via book form, I-phones, I-pads, memorization is becoming a lost art. 

So I wonder when the Psalmist says, "Thy Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against Thee" how do we hide it in our heart if we don't know it for ourselves?  As the unknown author quoted above says, "I've learned some very wise things that I can't quite remember."

This morning as I'm struggling to memorize Psalm 119, I came across this verse:  "With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth."

I love that.  I am speaking with my lips the words that God has spoken through His mouth.  I am speaking His language!  Like a child learning to talk, I look to my Father to give me the words.  It is our early morning conversation!  He speaks to me through His Words; I repeat them back to Him until they sink deep into my heart.

Of course we don't just memorize for the knowledge.  This same Psalmist studied to obey and then to teach (Ezra 7:10).  Psalm 119 is all about the beauty, wonder, glory and eternality of God's Word.  It is my favorite Psalm.

If you want some helps in learning to memorize, I can share with you what works for me.

Until then "Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things in Your Law."  (119:18)

A Parable on Reconciliation

There once was a king who quarreled with his son.  In a fit of rage the king exiled his son from the kingdom.  Years passed and the son wandered alone throughout the world.  In time, the king's heart softened and he sent his ministers to find his son and ask him to return.  When they located the young man, he answered them that he could not return to the kingdom.  He had been too hurt and his heart still harbored bitterness.

The ministers brought back this sad news to the king.  The king told them to bring his son the following message, "Return as far as you can and I will come the rest of the way to meet you."

Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."  (Matt. 5:9)