Scripture That Guards

Earlier this year, I made a commitment to memorize two Bible verses each month. The verses could be of my choosing but I had to report my choices on the 1st and 15th of the month to my accountability partners.

I had never attempted to memorize scripture at a consistent pace before. Maybe I’d memorized a few, but really, I thought it was something I couldn’t do. I remember even writing that down in one of my old journals. “I’m not good at memorizing scripture.”

Well let me just tell you that was a lie Satan wanted me to believe. He just wanted me to think I couldn’t do it. Sounds pretty reasonable if you look at it from his point of view. The Word is my sword according to Ephesians 6:17. It is the weapon I can defend myself with. Why would he want me to sharpen my sword and have it ready? He wouldn’t, of course! That is why he kept telling me I couldn’t remember scripture! And for a while, I believed his lies.

I know the truth now, and the truth is I am hungry for God’s word. I can memorize it quickly and it comes to my mind and my mouth just when I need it. I cannot begin to tell you how often I have been in a situation, feeling defeated or feeling uncertain or even feeling joyful when BAM - there is it – in my mind and on my tongue. God’s Word is awesome!

Take for example my recent situation. There has been an area of my life that has not gone the way I wanted it to go. I’ve done everything I know to do. I’ve handled it the way the LORD has directed me, but still my prayers are unanswered and the situation looks bleak from here.

Needless to say, I’ve been very anxious about the outcome. But every time I started getting to that really anxious place – the place where I knew I was just going to emotionally lose it, my memory verse came to mind.

Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, present your requests to God and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

That was me. I was anxious. So I would offer up to my Lord thanksgiving. (I’d already done a whole lot of prayer and petition.) And I would rest in the fact that He had it under control, even if it didn’t look that way to me.

You know, this verse doesn’t tell us that we’ll get what we asked for – maybe because He knows better than us and whatever we’re asking for might not be the best way to solve the situation. Nope. It doesn’t promise us answered prayers. It promises peace – a peace that is beyond understanding. It promises the kind of peace that doesn’t make sense. Others might look at you in the middle of your peace and think . . .”Why isn’t she upset?” Or, “I don’t see how she is holding up right now.” The LORD’s peace goes beyond understanding.

The other thing I find interesting about this verse is that this peace stands guard over your heart and your mind. Interesting. You would only need a guard if there was a threat, right?

In my case, I became anxious every time I was reminded of the situation. That could be many times in a day. So each time, it was presented, I would begin to start worrying and here would come my verse. I would say the verse out loud (didn’t have to look it up because it was in my memory) and I would remember to trust my MORD and her would come my peace – the peace that stood guard and didn’t allow all those anxious, negative thoughts to consume me.

The peace of God has been guarding my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. I sure have been under attack, but I’m feeling pretty good because I know that LORD has posted peace to be my guard. I do not need to be anxious – all I need to do is pray and thank my LORD.

I don’t know what part of this you needed to hear today. Maybe you too have believed Satan’s lie that you can’t memorize scripture. To you I would say . . . grab hold of the truth. Take up your sword and defeat the lie. Find some verses that speak to you and some friends that will hold you accountable. You’ll be glad you did.

Maybe you needed to hear that God’s peace will guard your heart and your mind. Maybe you are in the middle of some kind of battle and you needed to know this. To you I would say . . . write this verse (Phil. 4:6-7) on a card and carry it around with you. Repeat it over and over until it is hiding in your heart. Speak it every time you begin to feel anxious. Let it remind you that God is in control and He has sent peace to guard over you. Thank Him – for He is good.

Dear LORD, I thank You for Your Word! I thank You that You have given it to us to teach us, protect us, comfort us, encourage us and much more. I thank You that You have shown me the truth. I thank You that You have equipped me with a mind that is able to memorize Your Word. And, I thank You for the hunger I have for Your Word and Your presence in my life. Fill me up LORD. Fill me up with You. I want to know You more and more each day. Thank You. In Jesus name . . .