This is Memory Day.

How good is your memory? Can you remember what you wore to school a week ago? How about the name of your preschool teacher? Our memory—the ability to recall past events, facts, people, or figures—is an important function we rely on daily.

Sometimes the information we have stuffed in our memory isn’t very useful. We call that trivia. At other times our ability to recall facts and figures is critical. Just try taking a history test when your memory goes blank! Witnesses in court can play a crucial role in determining guilt or innocence as they recount what they saw or heard.

We have all sorts of ways to help our memory. Flash cards help us remember math facts. We have calendars, address books, assignment notebooks, PDAs, and other devices to help us remember birthdays, appointments, and other necessary information. We make lists, set alarms, and even tie strings around fingers so we won’t forget an important errand.

One of the most important pieces of information we can store in our memories is God’s Word. Knowing God’s Word makes us wise, helps us know what to do in every situation, and keeps us from sinning. We are told to write God’s Word on our hearts (Psalm 40:8), to treasure his Word as a precious gem (Psalm 119:72), and to use his Word as a weapon against Satan (Ephesians 6:17).

As important as memorizing God’s Word is, however, it’s just the first step. The Bible tells us that the way to keep from sinning is not only to hide God’s Word in our heart, but also to obey and follow God’s rules (Psalm 119:10). It’s a one-two punch—memorize and obey!

Don’t forget!

I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you (Psalm 119:11).

To do

Celebrate Memory Day by memorizing today’s verse. What other Words of God can you hide in your heart?

Also on this day . . .

Today is National Flower Day. Give someone special a flower!

1685—The great composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, was born.

2001—Nintendo released Game Boy Advance.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.