Memorizing Scripture — How to Stay in the Light

Recently, I had the thought to start memorizing Scripture. I had often heard Bible scholars extol the virtues of this, but I had never received the spiritual benefits of it myself. Soon after beginning, I found what must be the seminal verse in support of such memorization – Psalm 119:105:

“ Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

The Message translation refers to this as a “beam of light,” so that “I can see where I am going.”
Therefore, God’s word is essential for me to even have a glimpse, much less a clear view, of what I am to do next in my life. Of course, I knew this, but I have not always known that memorizing His word would be the equivalent of having a Biblical flashlight readily accessible at all times. Now, I am a true believer that this is the case.

Contemporaneous with my rediscovering Psalm 119:105 and this “beam of light,” I received a profound insight from my wise friend, Michael Canale. He spoke of this same beam of light as having a distinct configuration as it illuminates the path ahead. He said that he believes the light is in the shape of a triangle and that the beam from this triangle starts with the narrow aspect closest to the person, with the light broadening as it glows outward and down the path. As stated in reference to God and His word, “…light spills out of Him.” (Daniel 2:22, The Message) It streams down the path stretched out before us, wider and wider as we walk. Ultimately, it becomes part of who we are. John 12:36, The Message, says it well:

“The light will be with you and shining through your life. You’ll be children of light.” By having His word memorized, fixed in my mind, (“I have hidden Your word in my heart.” Psalm 119:11), my path will be one of light in an ever broadening triangle, so that I can see the way set out before me by God.

Further, it will reflect back on me so that I will be a child of light, sparkling because I am His.
It is said of Jesus, the Word, in John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”

May we have such memory and command of His word and of the Word, that we are beacons of this light, travelers on His bright path, seeing where He is leading and moving ever closer to Him Whose way is visible, resplendent in the light within and before us.