Why Memorization Still Matters // Pastor Jon Larson

Our scripture reading is based on the key Bible verses that our students learned this past week as part of their Vacation Bible School experience. These key verses help us to Explore the Nature of God. Just as our students were encouraged to memorize these verses as part of their Rainforest Falls adventure, what would it mean for us to allow them to guide our hearts and lives?We begin with a powerful reminder from Psalm 103:22 that God is our creator. “Praise the Lord everything he has created, everything in all his kingdom.” Yet we not only believe that God creates the world and everything in it and that He is worthy of our praise, but God knows everything. As we read in Psalm 139:1 “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me” David celebrates all God knows and while we may face a variety of storms and challenges in life, God is our safe place. As Psalm 142:5 reminds us “Then I pray to you, O lord. I say, “you are my place of refuge.”Yet besides creating, knowing and being our safe place, Psalm 136:1 reminds us that God is Love “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” It’s here that we are not only reminded of the promise that through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that we are saved, but God is Forever . May this word of promise from Psalm 115:18 fill our hearts with hope “But we can praise the Lord both now and forever! Praise the Lord.”