MAY 2, Psalm 119:11

“I got an email from Soo Hoon today,” said Erica one afternoon. “She has to learn about 50 Bible verses for Sunday school.” “50!” exclaimed Erica’s brother, Mason.

“Well…actually, she doesn’t have to learn that many, but she hopes to win the top prize,” Erica explained. “I wish my Bible school had prizes like that. Then I’d learn verses, too.”

“I don’t know,” muttered Mason. “That’s still too many.”

“Memorizing verses and winning a prize is fine,” said Mom, “but there’s an even better reason to learn them. God can use His Word to teach you how to handle various things that happen in your life.” Erica looked doubtful. “Tell you what,” said Mom, “I’ll give you a list of verses to work on. Start learning them, and see what happens.”

“Okay,” agreed Erica, and in the next few weeks, she was surprised to see how quickly she could memorize verses when she really tried. She was also surprised at how often she recalled one of them.

There was the day a big dog started following her as she walked to her cousin Anita’s house. Erica caught her breath—the dog seemed friendly, but she was afraid of dogs! Suddenly she remembered Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” She kept saying the verse over and over, and soon her fears were quieted.

Later that day, Erica’s friend, Ellen, said unkind things about another girl. Erica was ready to agree and add her own comments when Ephesians 4:29 popped into her mind, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Erica bit her tongue and quietly told Ellen she would really rather talk about something else.

“Mom, you were right,” Erica said when she arrived home. “There are good reasons for learning verses, other than winning prizes.” She began to explain what she meant. Even Mason, who was also listening, looked interested and thoughtful when he heard what had happened that afternoon.

Thought: Do you learn Bible verses even if nobody promises a reward for doing that? Try learning the reference verse with each day’s reading!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me I must learn to love and memorize bible verses on my own. Perhaps I have not done enough so Heavenly Father, please give me the strength to do more. This I humbly ask in Jesus’ name. Amen!