For those who may not know, I enjoy writing devotionals as part of my Scripture Journaling journey. Each month, I choose a Bible verse from my Scripture Journaling Plan and write a monthly devotional that goes along with that theme. I also write a daily devotional to accompany each day’s selected verse as I spend time studying and reflecting on God’s Word.
This has become a special part of my time with the Lord—a time where I can slow down, meditate on His Word, and listen for how He is speaking to my heart each day.
Of course, I talk with God throughout the day through prayer, but I especially look forward to my quiet time with Him each morning. Those moments in His Word have become a source of encouragement, strength, and guidance.
Today’s devotional is a little more personal. It comes from my own journey and the ways I have seen God faithfully work through difficult seasons. I felt led to share it in hopes that it will encourage someone else and remind us all of the importance of hiding God’s Word in our hearts. We never know when He may bring a verse back to our remembrance at exactly the moment we need it most.
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
Hidden in the Heart
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
There is a great blessing in hiding God’s Word in our hearts. Scripture memorization is not simply an activity for children or a requirement for a contest; it is a spiritual investment that God can use throughout our entire lives.
I am thankful for parents who taught me the importance of memorizing Scripture and for Sunday School teachers and Christian educators who encouraged us to learn God’s Word. As a child, I remember winning a stuffed duck for memorizing a verse the fastest. Later, in high school, I received a Scripture memory award for memorizing and quoting over 300 verses. At the time, I did not fully understand how those verses would become a source of strength years later.
After suffering a traumatic brain injury from a lightning strike, there was a season when I struggled even to read my Bible. It broke my heart, but God faithfully used the Scripture that had already been hidden in my heart. One verse at a time, He brought His Word back to my mind to encourage me to keep going. Eventually, through perseverance, therapy, and learning new ways to study, I was able to use a Bible app and slowly begin reading again.
I later learned that part of my difficulty came from nystagmus, a condition where my eyes would involuntarily move and struggle to focus long enough to read. Through therapy and exercises, I was able to make progress. But even before my ability to read returned, God’s Word was already there—stored safely in my heart.
I am also thankful for how God allowed those same Scriptures to be a comfort during my Dad’s final months. Being able to share familiar verses and songs with him brought moments of peace during times of anxiety. Watching him respond to the truth of God’s Word was a precious gift and created memories I will always treasure. Though I miss him dearly, I am grateful for the opportunity God gave me to share those moments with him.
God’s Word is never wasted. Every verse we hide in our hearts is a seed that God can bring to life when we need it most. We may not always know when we will need a specific Scripture, but God knows. His Word remains faithful, even when our circumstances change.
Additional Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Joshua 1:8, Colossians 3:16, John 14:26, Romans 10:17, Isaiah 55:11
Continue Reading:
My Healing Journey: How God Carried Me Through the Storm
More Devotionals: Encouragement From God’s Word