From the Written to the Living Word of God

August 28, 2017

Daily Reading
Psalm 8
Exodus 1:1-7
Romans 2:1-11
1 Samuel 7:3-13
This week’s sermon text: Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32

Field Notes
Forty-one years ago, as he was about to read the Scripture, a pastor said, “Everyone needs to memorize a Bible verse each day.” During that moment I felt a nudge of the Holy Spirit, “Yep, do it and watch what good will happen.” Today’s scripture is one of the verses I’ve since committed to memory.

“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, thy stronghold. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, so I shall be saved from my enemies.”

Through the years, verses such as these help me remain calm in the midst of anxious situations. No matter the outcome, memory verses lead me closer to God. Thus, the written Word became more of the living Word in my life.

Maybe this is God nudging you to take a step beyond reading the Bible and start memorizing at least one verse each week or month.

Whether or not you memorize a verse, they remind us that God is our rock, fortress, and deliverer in the midst of stress.

Questions for the Field

• Could God want you to memorize a Bible verse a week, a month?
• Why not stop and praise God right now?

Family Field Talk

• Is there a Bible verse that might become your family’s verse for this month?
• Share a time when God has been your rock, fortress, and deliverer in the midst of stress.

Prayer Guide
Lord, I praise you and call upon you. Only you are worthy of praise. I know you are with me through the Holy Spirit, the scriptures, this devotional time, with my family, even during bad times. So, I ask that you help me open myself to your presence. In your gracious name I pray. Amen.