The Roman statesman Marcus Tullisu Cicero is quoted as saying, “Memory is the treasury and guardian of all things.”
I’ve heard countless times of accounts from pastors who have shared of folks with dementia or other failing memory issues the wonderful ability to recite the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, parts of the historical liturgy, Psalms and hymns. Why? These things were more than committed to memory but became part of who they were.
It’s been shared many times of those who are jailed for their faith and how they rely on their memorized Bible verses and hymns. Those Bible verses and hymns were God’s strength and encouragement through their hardships, proof that in all cases, God gives us what we need to endure this life.
It begs the question- what are your go-to passages? What hymns speak God’s peace and confidence to you? Even now, with or without major challenges in your life, how is God carrying you? As a parent, teacher, principal, board member- whomever is reading this post- what are your essential 10 (just to grab a number)?
Here are a quick few of mine (in no particular order)-
Romans 5:2-5- ...we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us
1 Corinthians 6:19-20- Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Psalm 46:1- God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble
Psalm 139:14- I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well
1 Corinthians 15: 57- But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:27- Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid
“Abide with Me” especially vs 5 (Hold thou thy cross before my closing eyes...”-https://hymnary.org/text/abide_with_me_fast_falls_the_eventide)
“Hark the Voice of Jesus Calling” especially vs 4 (...Answer quickly when he calleth, Here am I send me, send me”- http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/lw318.htm)
A Mighty Fortress (http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/lyrics/tlh262.htm)
God’s Own Child I Gladly Say It (https://www.issuesetcarchive.org/issues_site/resource/archives/godsown.htm)
Increasing the number of Bible verses and hymns will be a blessing to you so take time to remember and take time to learn.
“When in the night I sleepless lie, my thoughts with heav’nly thoughts supply” (Lutheran Service Book 883, 5).
