There are all types of memory. You may have an extremely good long term memory, or perhaps your short term memory is better. This is different for every person – and it is often different at varying stages in life! There is one type of memory that all of us must constantly work at. It is our spiritual memory.

How easy it is to fail to remember the goodness of God and the wickedness of our own heart! Spurgeon said that by some strange perversity we tend to remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. The best way to improve your spiritual memory is to work on your Scripture memory.

God wrote a memory Book! This is what the Word of God was given for: to help us remember what God wants us to remember and what we are so prone to forget. Scripture memory is frequently emphasized to children and young people, but sorely neglected as we get older. Yet this is the time when God’s Word most needs to be reinforced and rehearsed! Hebrews 2:1 says, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”

A few months ago my friend Robert Stover asked me if I would be willing to be a Scripture memory accountability partner for a few weeks. We memorized verses specifically related to revival and quoted them to one another periodically. What a tremendous help it was to my mind and heart, and a reminder that God’s people need to be memorizing God’s Word.

Robert has developed a wonderful Scripture memory program, complete with a card system for devotional use. Here is a brief excerpt from some of his material:

The Memory Muscle by Robert Stover

The more you exercise the muscles of your body the stronger and more fit they become. You can lift more weight, walk further, and have more lung endurance the more you exercise. Things you could not do when you started exercising become easier because you have worked these muscles.

Your memory is similar. Let’s call it your “Memory Muscle.” You try to memorize a Bible verse and it does not seem to stick with you. But, keep repeating the verse – exercise your Memory Muscle! Your Memory Muscle will become stronger and the Holy Spirit will help you to retain these verses for meditation, implementation, and communication to others. 

Understand that Bible memory is hard work. Those who stick with it, and are willing to put in the work, God will richly bless with the power of His Word.

Several things have been a practical help to me in the area of Scripture memory:

• Memorize Scripture topically. While I have memorized longer portions of Scripture as well, I believe it is good to memorize related verses to key areas of the Christian life.
• Memorize out loud. Use all of your faculties to aid in memorization.
• Memorize with a friend. Partnering with a friend is beneficial for accountability and encouragement.
• Memorize the reference. Dr. Frank Sells used to say, “Be location conscious.” Knowing the “address” of the verse will help you to find it and take others to it quickly.
• Memorize regularly. Build it into your daily disciplines and review previously memorized verses.

Whatever system you use, determine to memorize Scripture. We must hide God’s Word in our hearts if we are to share it with our lips and show it with our lives (Psalm 119:11-13). May God bless you as you memorize and meditate on His precious Word.

(If you would like to access Robert Stover’s Scripture Sets and memory tools visit mptgministries.com.)