Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night.–Psalm 1:2
Football players come to camp and are handed a binder filled with plays, formations, and adjustments built to withstand any opponent during the season. A lot of work, foresight, and detail went into putting together what could be a championship playbook. However great a playbook may be, though, it is useless without memorization and proper execution.
Athletes are expected to memorize most, if not all of the playbook—to understand the concept, intention, and correct application of every play. That is because during the course of a game, things don’t always look like they are drawn, and players may have to make adjustments. To do so requires more than memorizing plays—they practice, study, watch films, and redraw them. A coach doesn’t say to meditate on a play, but that is exactly the intention.
In the desert, Jesus fended off Satan’s temptations with three words, “It is written.” When Jesus quoted Scripture, He didn’t have a Bible handy—just like a player can’t carry the playbook on the field during a game. He had the words hidden in His heart and knew the concept and when to apply it. The Bible is our championship playbook, written to withstand every scenario the enemy or life can throw at us. But, if our noses aren’t in the Book, we won’t find ourselves in the game.
1. Have you ever been in a game and did not know the play? How did that feel?
2. Have you ever been questioned and didn’t know Scripture to back up what you said?
3. What passage of Scripture will you memorize and meditate on this week?
Psalm 119:11; Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 12:24; 2 Timothy 3:14-17
Lord, thank You for providing a playbook for my life. Forgive my disobedience when it comes to memorizing and meditating on Your Word. Please help me be more disciplined and discerning. Lord, I ask that You use me for Your glory. Amen.