Learn It By Heart

My daughter, who teaches second grade, just had poetry day.
It is a special day she has each spring.
Her students have to choose a poem and memorize it.
They have to recite the poem in front of the class.

The children love poetry day.
They wear nice clothes: dresses for girls, nice pants and button down shirts for boys.
Some boys have been known to wear a suit and tie.
The parents and grandparents are invited to come.

The children practice their poem for quite a while before the big day.
The practice helps them feel comfortable about speaking in front of a group.
It gives them confidence to know that they memorized a poem and are able to recite it.

We have all had to give speeches or presentations in front of people.
Some people are actually terrified to speak in front of a group.
Some people take it all in stride.
There is a feeling of vulnerability standing before others with something to say.

I still get blotches on my face and neck when I speak in front of people.
Even when I teach Bible classes, or speak to women at various churches, I get red.
It goes with the territory: fair, Irish skin and excitement over what is being said.
I can never hide my true emotions; they are all over my face and my neck.

Growing up I cannot remember hearing the words recite or memorize.
The term I grew up with was, learn it by heart.
In order to give a speech in front of the class, you must learn it by heart.
If you need to study for a part in a play, you must learn it by heart.

I never really considered what that term meant until the other day.
I actually like what the words convey.

We have all heard musicians play an instrument or use their voice as an instrument.
We have all heard the difference between playing technically and playing by heart.
One is just playing the notes.
One is playing their heart through the instrument.

I will take the latter every time.

There is the story of an old violin that was up for auction.
No one wanted to bid on it.
Finally, a very low bid was placed.
The auctioneer seemed disappointed.

Is there anyone who will bid more for this beautiful instrument?
No hand was raised.
Finally from the back of the room an old man approached the auctioneer.
May I see the violin? he asked with his hands extended.

He took the violin gently in his arms.
He rubbed his hand carefully down the neck.
He lifted the violin to his shoulder.
He began to play.

His heart came through his fingers.
Beautiful music filled the room.
Tears were in the eyes of many of the listeners.
The old man put the violin down ever so carefully.

The auctioneer looked over the crowd as many hands went up.
Extravagant bids were placed for the old violin.
The violin was finally sold for a large sum of money.
What made the difference? the auctioneer asked.

The touch of the Master’s hand, the buyer said.

The touch of the Master’s Hand.
Playing from the heart.
That made all the difference.

The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scriptures says, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news?”…Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:8-15,17)

The Word is in you.
You must learn it by heart.

It is not enough to read God’s Word.
You must study it, meditate on it, and learn it by heart.
The Word that is in your heart will never return void.
It will accomplish what God intended.

That Word that you have hidden in your heart will be deep within you.
It will be there to tell to others.
It will be there to encourage you when you are weary or troubled.
It will be there to testify that you are His.

I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You. (Psalm 119:11)

Learn God’s Word by heart.
Teach your children to learn God’s Word by heart.
Not just recite; not just memorize, but rather learn it by heart, embed it in your heart.
The touch of the Master’s Hand makes all the difference.