Study the Bible Even if You Don’t Think You’ll Remember Much
I get in the car and Siri asks me, “Which doctor are we going to now?”
Getting older is no fun. A part of getting older is that I can’t remember what I studied and read.
My husband, Larry, and I were commiserating with each other the other day about this.
We both wished we could apply every day the amazing truths we’ve read over the decades of following Christ. It is discouraging to think that we can’t remember everything we’ve ever taken in.
Study the #Bible even if you don't think you'll remember everything you studied. Share on XBut then I said to Larry, “Maybe we can think of it this way. We can’t remember what we had for dinner three years ago, but it nourished us at the time and became a part of us.”
It’s the same way with reading the Word of God or other worthwhile books—or the sermon we heard on Sunday. The Spirit of God applies it to our lives at that time and builds us up spiritually and mentally. We may not remember everything but it has become a part of us.
Now, certainly, we should take the time and effort to memorize, recall and re-concentrate on important truths. We also need to respond in obedience to what we hear and read. Those are the elements for truth to be powerful in our lives. But don’t be discouraged if it seems you remember so little over a long period of time. The Spirit of God is faithful to apply it all for the edifying of our spirits. We may not even remember what work He did, but He has. And He promises to bring to our remembrance what we need to apply and share with others.
Hebrews 4:12 assures us,
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (NASB).
If we’ve cooperated with the Spirit by responding to what we read and heard, the heart surgery has already occurred. We have been changed and as we continue to seek and grow, the results will be revealed.
Even when we don’t remember everything!
I love this. So good. It nourished us at the time. The beauty of His Word-its fresh whenever we read it. The same verse means something new at different life stages.
Debbie, thank you so much for commenting. We all are amazed how reviewing Scripture is so fresh. What a blessing God gives us. Blessings to you!
Amen and Amen Ms .Kathy, and Mr. Larry. I too find myself with a “Remember” that is sometimes in desperate need of realignment. My once “steel trap” has found itself in a state of disrepair quite often of late, often asking Ms. Diane what I had already asked her. Am sure glad God’s grace permeates her heart. I loved your statements of “it nourished us when we needed it” and “the heart surgery was successful if we obeyed it when we read it.” Such truth found therein. I like to think that my life speaks louder than the scripture I can quote (sometimes). If I’ve let it do its work, then my life will show it. God’s blessings sweet, and sometimes forgetful, friend. Now what’s your name again?
As always, J.D., your thoughts are so valuable for me and my readers. I love your insight that the memorized scripture will cause our lives to show what we believe–even if we can’t quote the verse that’s imbedded in our hearts. You are a blessing.
This is so good – “We may not remember but it nourished us at the time and became a part of us.” Yes, and because it became a part of us, the Lord used it at the time and will bring it back to us as needed. Beautiful and encouraging truth!
Joanne, I’m so glad the Lord used my post to encourage you. Your words encourage me! God bless you!
Hi Kathy! Had to laugh this morning at your thoughts…my brain is covered with Teflon these days! Nothing sticks! So thankful for your encouragement…that we’ve been nourished and edified by what we’ve studied, even when details may not be remembered. What’s great about memory loss is that God’s word is new and refreshing every morning! (Only other good thing is that you can hide your own Easter eggs….) Blessings to you…from your fellow Crossmap blogger, Nancy
Nancy, thank you so much for your encouraging words. I love your wisdom and your humor. God is strengthening you in the midst of a hard memory loss journey. My heart is with you.