Delight: The Goal of Scripture Memory

Scripture memory: it begins as a DISCIPLINE; it becomes a JOY and the DELIGHT of your heart!

Here is the entire Scripture passage:

16 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. (Jeremiah 15:16)

I’ve written about the three phases we progress through as we persevere in reading the Bible, and especially as we commit passages of Scripture to memory: Discipline, Desire, and Delight. (Persevere; Here’s What Will Happen)
This article is about the highest level, called “Delight”. At this level, you need no urging to get you into God’s Word. You can’t get enough of it.

I do not say this on my own. I searched for the word “delight” in the Bible and found many verses expressing that same attitude about God’s Word.

As you read these verses, remember that God inspired the writers of Scripture to write these words. These verses tell us what God longs for us to know about how our attitude will be ”” if we would just spend time with Him in His Word.


21 Agree with God, and be at peace; thereby good will come to you. 22 Receive instruction from his mouth, and lay up his words in your heart.

26 For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty and lift up your face to God. (Job 22:21-22, 26)

1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:1~2)

He trusts in the LORD; let Him deliver him; let Him rescue him, for he delights in Him. (Psalm 22:8)

Let those who delight in my righteousness shout for joy and be glad and say evermore,
        Great is the LORD, who delights in the welfare of his servant!” (Psalm 35:27)

Delight yourself in the LORD,
        and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
        when he delights in his way (Psalm 37:23)

By this I know that you delight in me:
        my enemy will not shout in triumph over me. (Psalm 41:11)

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD,
        who greatly delights in his commandments! (Psalm 112:1)

In the way of your testimonies I delight
        as much as in all riches. (Psalm 119:14)

I will delight in your statutes;
        I will not forget your word. (Psalm 119:16)

Your testimonies are my delight;
        they are my counselors. (Psalm 119:24)

Lead me in the path of your commandments,
        for I delight in it. (Psalm 119:35)

for I find my delight in your commandments,
        which I love. (Psalm 119:47)

their heart is unfeeling like fat,
        but I delight in your law (Psalm 119:70)

Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
        for your law is my delight (Psalm 119:77)

If your law had not been my delight,
        I would have perished in my affliction (Psalm 119:92)

Trouble and anguish have found me out,
        but your commandments are my delight (Psalm 119:143)

I long for your salvation, O LORD,
        and your law is my delight (Psalm 119:174)

I delight to do your will, O my God;
        your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)

Your words were found, and I ate them,
     and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
     for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts. (Jeremiah 15:16)

Yet they seek me daily and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that did righteousness and did not forsake the judgment of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. (Isaiah 58:2)

For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being (Romans 7:22)


Do you get it? Can you see it? This “delight” thing is a benefit that God is offering to us. But as with most of Gods offers, it seems to contradict our experience and our common sense.

You will want more of whatever you feed yourself on!

And that’s what faith is for. Faith is believing what God says, then acting as would a believer, even when doing so just doesn’t seem like it could work.

If I could do it — and I did — you can too!

- Jan

 
 

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{ 11 comments… add one }
  • Geraldine 08/29/2018, 6:44 AM

    Jan,
    I was once plagued by worry as a young person, I am older now and God never got forsook me.
    If young people only knew He is the answer to their ploblems.
    I had the Bible taught to me as a God who was out to catch and judge, when all he wants is help HIS creation, like any parent would.
    Your site is a life saver.

    Reply Link
  • Lisa 01/01/2015, 9:31 AM

    I was googling scriptures with “delight” in them and your site was listed. Thank you for the verses and sharing with us Gods truth. I always ask God to give me one word for the New Year to focus on and apply to my life. The word this year is delight. Honestly, I thought I’d like something “meatier” but it looks like I have a lot to learn about delighting in my Lord so I guess He knew the perfect word for me after all! {smile}

    Reply Link
    • Jan Smith 01/12/2015, 2:23 PM

      Hi, Lisa,
      I’m glad you found me and that you found that list of verses with the word “delight” in them helpful. I cannot remember why it was that I made that list. I’ve heard from others, too, who appreciated those verses all listed together. ~ Jan

      Reply Link
  • pat 12/10/2014, 3:52 AM

    hello Jan and Joanne, memorizing scripture has always been my most challenging task. please teach me how to get it right. it will be one of my biggest achievement in 2015, by God’s Grace. also send any other helpful journal and a study bible for me (even if it’s an old one in your shelf). i just want to have a feel of you around me. thank you. God bless you both for the commitment to His work. merry Christmas! pat.

    Reply Link
  • http://issuu.com/leanaggressor775/docs/140328516153a46ea9445fb 09/20/2014, 11:35 PM

    Great post.

    Reply Link
    • Jan Smith 09/21/2014, 2:57 PM

      I’m glad you liked it. I hope you come back soon.

      Reply Link
  • Hassan 07/10/2014, 10:16 PM

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  • luciyoung 02/03/2014, 8:06 AM

    PLEASE SEND YOUR GREAT READINGS HERE FOR ME
    THE OTHER LUCI GOT MESSED UP. LUCIYOUNG77777@GMAIL.COM IS THE CORRECT ONE NOWTHANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. IT TOOK ALL THIS TIME TO FIND YOU ALMOST TWO YEARS. BUT I DID NOT GIVE UP. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. IN CHRIST JESUS NAME AMEN.

    Reply Link
  • Peter 12/25/2012, 8:14 AM

    Thank you very much for sharing the delight of memorizing God’s Word!
    You can easily add the verses mentioned in this article to your smartphone using a Bible memory app like Remember Me (for Android and iOS).

    Reply Link
    • jan 12/25/2012, 3:31 PM

      Hi, Peter,

      Hey, thanks for visiting my blog. I’m glad you liked the post on the delights of knowing God’s Word. Who could say it better than He did?

      I’m curious to know: how did you find me?

      I’m going to check out that Remember Me app you mentioned. Thanks for the tip.

      jan

      Reply Link