Latest Devotion
Memorize & Prosper
By: Jenny Hinners
Thursday, May 21, 2026
...they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. Psalm 1:2 (NLT)
Western cultures have an abundance of Bible resources available, and many of them are right at our fingertips. Technology can be problematic, but it allows us to carry God's Word in our pockets and access it anywhere we go. But the easy accessibility of God’s Word does have a downside. Due to technological advancements, many people have stopped trying to memorize scripture.
Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Joshua 1:8
This verse from Joshua says we will be prosperous and successful if we know and obey God's Word. It may not be financial prosperity on earth (but it could be), but we will definitely be "kingdom rich" for eternity! The prosperity God describes is obtained by walking in alignment with the commands in His Word. Knowing God's Word is important, which is why Joshua tells us to "meditate on it day and night."
There is a Hebrew word called "Hagah" and it is usually translated into English as meditate. But meditation is more than just reading something and thinking about it. By definition, meditation is a form of intense concentration. To apply that in a spiritual sense, it means focusing our attention on God's Word and intensely concentrating on it. In a way, it would be similar to a college student that is preparing for an important final exam.
That Hebrew word "Hagah" can also be translated as mutter or murmur. That's interesting, because when we're trying to memorize scripture, we will naturally find ourselves muttering it. When we repeatedly "mutter" scripture aloud, it can help us etch that passage deep in our heart.
Why is memorizing scripture important? When we commit a verse to memory, we won’t need technology to access it. In the middle of the night or in times of dire need, we may not have time to fumble with our phones... When a few key verses are stored in our brain, we'll be less reliant on having a paper or electronic copy.
If memorizing scriptures sounds difficult, start out with a shorter, easier one (Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 73:26). Ask God to guide you to you a meaningful verse that applies to something you are going through right now. Then, ask Him to help you memorize it successfully.
Knowing God's Word is in His will, so we can be assured He will bless our efforts to memorize it!