Memorizing God's Word

97 Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
for I obey your precepts.
101 I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
102 I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
Psalm 119:97-102 (NIV)

           In order to become an attorney, a student of law must study the law.  The student must complete many courses dealing with the law; developing critical thinking skills and learning to think like a lawyer. Once that student has passed the bar exam and has earned the right to practice law, as one practicing the law they must continually study the field of law in order to keep their mind sharp in legal processes.  A good lawyer must be instilled with the law in order to act as a good defender of their cases.

          We are defenders of our faith, not only against the detractors whom we may encounter, but also against our internal wanderings and temptations which befall us.  We should not set out to start arguments, but we should be able to effectively argue our side when the occasion does arise.  We should know God's word thoroughly by reading it and by carefully meditating upon it.  We may not literally be able to meet the standards set by the psalmist in this passage, but it is a goal for which to strive. We should set our sights high and believe and obey what we learn.  To best achieve this we must read, study, meditate, and live by God's words.

11 I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
12 Praise be to you, O LORD;
teach me your decrees.
13 With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
14 I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
15 I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
16 I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
Psalm 119:11-16 (NIV)

      God's word is like a precious treasure to be carefully kept within us.  We should rejoice that we have that treasure as God's words guide us through our lives.  The Word should be a lamp to our feet and a light for our path.  Know God's word competely and be happy.  God's words should be the words that we store up to declare to all the world to show that we are His.

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

      Memorizing scripture provides us with the solid defense that we need to confront our detractors.  Those words will speak for themselves to open the eyes of all those who hear them when we present them in a loving and caring manner.  Sometimes people will take the words to use them for their own personal gain, which is wrong.  Instead we should be God's mouthpiece conveying the messages of the Bible as God intends them to be heard, and that is a message of hope that can be found through Jesus Christ.

17 Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise;
  apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart
and have all of them ready on your lips.
Proverbs 22:17-18 (NIV)