King James is famous for the Bible translation that bears his name. But around the same time as the printing of the Bible, he also commissioned The Book of Common Prayer. This guide to prayer and worship, which is still used today, contains a great prayer for memorising the Bible: “Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; grant that we may . . . hear them, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them, that by patience, and comfort of [Your] holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life.”

Many centuries earlier, Jeremiah the prophet expressed a similar way of letting the Scriptures fill our hearts: “Your words were found, and I ate them; and Your Word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16). We memorise the Word as we “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest” a passage of Scripture through prayerful meditation.

Ask the Lord to help you apply the Bible to your life today. Take time to think about the Word (Heb. 5:12). As you listen to His teaching, God will show you more about Himself through His Book.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested. —Bacon

Author

Dennis Fisher

Topics

Our Daily Bread