You’re going to probably think, “What a weird title for a post.” But it is what it is. Recently, I had to travel to the US on a tourist visa and was denied entry. I was also banned to re-enter for the next 10 years. More details on that here, but this particular post is about what my brain was going through at that time.
Let me start with a passage by one of my favourite writers, Ellen White, describing the account of two prominent missionaries, Paul and Silas.
There, in the pitchy darkness and desolation of the dungeon, Paul and Silas prayed, and sung songs of praise to God. The other prisoners heard with astonishment the voice of prayer and praise issuing from the inner prison. They had been accustomed to hear shrieks and moans, cursing and swearing, breaking at night upon the silence of the prison; but they had never before heard the words of prayer and praise ascending from that gloomy cell. The guards and prisoners marveled who were these men, who cold, hungry, and tortured, could still rejoice and converse cheerfully with each other.”
Redemption: Or the Teachings of Paul, and His Mission to the Gentiles
Like I said, I was detained at the US border a few weeks ago. And although my experience was nothing compared to what Paul and Silas went through who even right before being imprisoned had swollen and bleeding wounds as a result of torture, then handcuffed all through the night — it’s still an experience I will never forget.
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Recommended Reading
A little over a week ago, I embarked on a trip to the US to accompany my mother. It was a long flight from Manila to Japan to Texas but the excitement and anticipation of finally seeing family sustained us throughout the trip.
But then there’s the Immigration line, the port of entry to the US. Many of you have been there. Everything is pretty much standard procedure here. The questions asked are usually “What is the purpose of your visit to the US?” “Where are you staying in the US?”, “Do you have a job in your home country?”, “When do you plan to go back to your home country?” Etc. But the it can all still be a bit nerve-wracking.
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In hindsight, what really helped me carry thru that time were prayers, reciting Scriptures and singing hymns and Bible songs. These apparently had the same effect for Paul and Silas.
They took all my things, except the clothes I was wearing. I was left to my own thoughts as to how I can encourage myself in the Lord in that trying time. Praise God for allowing me to recall the few songs and verses I have memorized over the years.
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Here are a few reasons why I think singing songs and reciting Scriptures from memory helped me
1. The songs helped to shape my thinking by drawing my mind to the positive.
One of the first Scripture songs that came to mind was 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, in that it says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair. Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” Paul had a positive assurance for every negative circumstance that happened to him. Paul who had a more trying circumstance than I found the good in his harrowing situation. The more my thoughts dwelt on these verses, the less I focused on my present circumstance, and the more thankful I was of God’s blessings.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KZII0Ailbg[/embedyt]2. The songs allowed me to reflect on God’s love and faithfulness.
I spent alot of hours waiting for the DHS officer in charge to process my papers. At this point, I was already told that I am banned from entering the US for 10 years. My husband and I had many future plans that included re-entering the US. So all those plans and dreams were shattered in an instant.
My husband had plans to go back to the US to upgrade his pilot’s license — Gone!
I had plans of going on visiting churches to promote my Almost Home CD — Gone!
Our plans of raising funds for the ministry by sharing our testimonies in several churches — Gone!
As I started singing “Great is Thy Faithfulness” in the detention center, it felt a little ironic at first judging from where I was singing it from. But the more I thought about the words I was singing, it dawned on me — God is still faithful. The fact that I’m still alive, that I was treated nicely by the officers is an evidence of His care.
But what of the plans we had? What of the finances and upgrading we need to help us in our ministry? Never mind that. God is faithful.
3. The songs became a great source of encouragement for me.
There was a brief moment when I wanted to cry and feel sorry for myself. Yet those feelings were quelled in an instant when I started singing, “Why should I feel discouraged? Why should the shadows cry? Why should my heart be lonely?…”
Enroute to the Philippines, I began to resolve to memorize more hymns, songs and Scriptures. Indeed, another time, even worse than this will come. And when that time comes, only those who have prepared will be able to stand. From the book called Great Controversy the author wrote, “None but those who have fortified the mind with the truths of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.” (p. 593-4) Fortifying the mind includes putting God’s precious word to memory and then living it!
In another book called Last Day Events, there is a chapter called “Devotional Life of the Remnant.” The chapter is divided into several sections and one of the sections is focused on committing Scriptures to memory. Here are some gems I found from that section:
“Build a wall of scriptures around you, and you will see that the world cannot break it down. Commit the Scriptures to memory, and then throw right back upon Satan when he comes with his temptations, ‘It is written.’ This is the way that our Lord met the temptations of Satan, and resisted them.”
Ellen G. White, Last Day Events
“The time will come when many will be deprived of the written Word. But if this Word is printed in the memory, no one can take it from us.”
“Study the Word of God. Commit its precious promises to memory so that when we shall be deprived of our Bible, we may still be in possession of the Word of God.”
Evidently, memorizing Scriptures are very important. But why memorize hymns, scripture songs and other spiritual songs as well?
Well for one thing music lyrics already have a built-in rhythm and rhyme to it. This lends itself to stick better to our brains because that’s just how the brain works. Memorizing Scriptures becomes easier because Scripture songs are basically Bible verses set to music.
Audioverse has a whole section on Scripture songs categorised by Bible books. Check it out!
While hymns are more of the hymnwriter’s interpretation of their understanding about God and other spiritual topics, they are still more or less related to several Scriptures. For example, the SDA Hymnal includes a whole index of Bible verses used in each individual hymn. You may found this at the back portion of the hymnal entitled, “Scriptural Allusions to Hymns.” Memorizing hymns helps us to sing these Bible verses on a more personal level.
Spiritual songs are experiences and testimonies of songwriters of how the Lord has been faithful to them. It is just like listening to a friend share their story of how the Lord worked a miracle in their lives, and the lessons they learned from their experience.
The Bible also tells us that one way to let Christ’s words dwell richly in us through singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16).
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6 ways we can incorporate memorizing Scriptures and songs in our daily lives
1. Listen, listen, listen.
I teach piano using the Suzuki method. And one thing I always emphasize to my students more than practicing the piano is to listen to the recordings of their pieces. By listening several times, the mind gets a more thorough picture of the order of the words, the sentences and phrases with ease. You can easily incorporate listening daily when you drive to and from work, while you cook, folding laundry or as you take your regular morning/evening walks. Play the same set of songs several times, and pretty soon you will have those lyrics memorised
2. Begin easy.
If you find several stanzas of hymns daunting, then start with songs that have a refrain.
3. Use visual aids
Write lyrics on Post-Its and tape it to your mirror. Read through it as you brush your teeth, do your hair, etc. One missionary I know took it to the next level by writing hymn lyrics on 5×8 cards, put it inside a Ziplock bag and taped it right under the shower.
4. Have an accountability partner.
Back in graduate school, I remember some days getting really stressful. So my best friend and I decided to meet everyday for 10 minutes just to sing from one section of the hymnal — hymns about consecration. We resolved to memorize a hymn at a time, and only learn a new one until we’ve memorized it. We’d sing it to each other and if we falter at one line, or stumble over a word, the other would give a clue by blurting out the first syllable of the word we missed. We would only spend 10 minutes everyday doing this but we ended up memorising a bunch of hymns that semester.
5. Repeat. Review. Refine.
Any musician will tell you that in order for them to maintain their repertoire at its memorized state, they need to constantly rehearse and repeat several passages over and over until it is refined. The same formula goes for memorizing scriptures and songs. Keep a list of what you already know and find ways to repeat them as you do other mundane tasks during the day.
I know of a pastor who would recite the book of 1st and 2nd Timothy as he does his exercise routine. Once he is done reciting it all, then he know he’s done with a certain section of his workout. A Bible worker friend of mine would wash his hands while reciting one chapter from the Bible.
6. Internalize the message.
An opera singer was asked how she was able to memorize all those long songs and execute them flawlessly. Her number one advice was internalization — by creating mental pictures in her head and attaching emotions to it. She would associate herself with every line so that it has meaning for her. As a result, she has retained almost every song that she has ever memorized.
How has memorising hymns and Scriptures helped you in the past? Do you have other tips on how to make memorising easier? Do let me know by leaving a comment below!
