As if bridges the gap between if only and what if. It’s the way we defy our circumstances. It’s the way God’s promises become our reality.”- Mark Batterson
Chapters 8-14 of If cover as if– the second if. Mark states that faith “sees the invisible” and “believes the impossible.” In Chapter 8 (“Reaction Time”), Mark emphasizes that you engrave Jesus on your brain when you pray, meditate, or memorize the Word of God. As you do so, slowly- but surely- your brain is being rewired and renewed. This helps to form the mind of Christ in you. Mark summarizes:
“That’s how we set our minds on things of the Spirit. That’s how we tap into the power of as if.”
Pastor Batterson writes that in ancient Jewish culture, formal education for boys began at age six. By the time boys graduated from the local synagogue school (bet sefer– “house of the book”) four years later, they would have memorized the entire Torah.
On the first day of class, according to tradition, the rabbi would cover each boy’s slate with honey. Then the rabbi instructed the class to lick the honey off their slates while reciting Psalm 119:103- “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”
Similarly, the kings of Israel were required- in the presence of the Levitical priests- to make a copy of the law in their own handwriting. The king then was required to keep that copy on his person at all times and read it every single day.
Intentionality to keep God’s Word in our hearts, to keep our minds set on the Spirit, requires due diligence. It may be exhausting, but it is worth the price. As Mark concludes, the Holy Spirit “both seals things in our memory and reveals things to our imagination.”
Today’s question: How have you been intentional in praying, meditating, or memorizing the Word of God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Quickening of the Holy Spirit”
