In Proverbs 7:2, Jesus says, "Guard my words as your most precious possession. Write them down and also keep them deep within your heart."
Perhaps the man who can best follow this instruction today is Tom Meyer, a member of Wordsower International Ministries and a professor at Shasta Bible College in California.
Why?
It's because Meyer holds the record for being able to recite at least 20 of the 66 books of the Bible from memory.
How is he able to do that?
Meyer has said in an interview that he has included in his book titled "The Memorization Study Bible", secrets on how he is able to memorise verses and even entire chapters of the Bible.
"This Study Bible had its origin in my increasing conviction from many years of memorising the scriptures as a student, lecturer, and now professor that all of the many excellent and useful editions of the scriptures left much to be desired in regards to fostering memorisation," Meyer said.
He said there are many techniques in Bible memorisation, but the three essential elements are:
● Reading aloud the text continuously while using the format of the page to help photograph the page on your mind;
● Listening to the text being read aloud in a dramatic fashion; and
● Writing out the verse numerous times while speaking the verse at the same time.
In an earlier interview, Meyer said that he was able to learn some of the ancient mnemonic techniques from his relationships with "Greek Orthodox monks as well as rabbis, and Yeshiva students."
Meyer said he's hopeful that readers of his book will be able to master Bible memorisation just as he has.
"This method has helped me accomplish memorising to date some 20 complete books of the Bible and hopefully a testimony similar to mine can be yours with a lot of prayer, hard work," he said.
But why memorise the Bible in the first place when you just can read it?
This question was answered by Saddleback Church senior pastor Rick Warren in a blog post he wrote in 2014.
Warren said memorising verses in the Bible is one of the most powerful ways to transform one's spiritual life.
He said memorising God's Word is the best way to resist temptation. "When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, his only defence against this attack was the Word of God. If Jesus knew a better way to fight temptation, believe me, he would have used it," he said.
Another good reason for memorising the Scripture is that it helps in making wise decision, he said. "I can't count how many times I've asked God for guidance about something very specific, and he has brought a Scripture I've memorised back to mind, showing me what to do. The Bible says, 'Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path' (Psalm 119:105 GNB). The more you know what God says, the more you are going to know how God thinks, because the will of God is found in the Word of God. The more you fill your mind with the Word of God, the more you will know the will of God," Warren said.
