Read: Psalm 119:9-16

Sally shivered as she sat on the park bench. The weather was getting cold. Soon there would be snow, and Grandma wouldn’t want to come to the park once the sidewalks were slippery. Sally reached into the bag Grandma had brought and pulled out another nut. The squirrels around her sat on their hind legs, waiting.

“Looks like they’re getting ready for winter too,” Grandma said.

Sally tossed out more nuts. “Why are they burying food?”

“It’s hard for squirrels to find food when snow covers the ground, so they’re planning ahead. A single squirrel can bury up to three thousand nuts in one season.”

“Do the squirrels remember where they bury them?” asked Sally.

“Scientists believe they do. Squirrels are really quite smart—some of them even pretend to bury nuts in one place to trick other squirrels that might be watching. Then the squirrel buries the nuts someplace else to protect its stash.”

“I’m glad people don’t have to bury food,” Sally said.

Grandma nodded. “Me too. But I have other buried treasure.”

“You do, Grandma? What is it? Money? Diamonds? Gold?”

Grandma laughed. “Something much more precious.”

“Is your treasure buried in your backyard?”

“No,” said Grandma. “It’s buried in my heart.”

Sally frowned. What could be buried in somebody’s heart? “I give up. What’s your treasure, Grandma?”

“My treasure is the Word of God. I’ve memorized many Bible verses, and they often come to mind just when I need one.”

“How many have you memorized?”

“Not as many as I probably could have—some people have memorized whole books! But I’ve memorized some longer passages, like the Twenty-third Psalm, the Lord’s Prayer, and Paul’s chapter about love in First Corinthians. Memorizing God’s Word helps me remember that I can trust Him in any situation because Jesus died and rose again to save me and promises to always be with me.”

“Maybe we could memorize some verses together,” Sally said.

“I’d like that.” Grandma gave Sally a big hug. “Now, let me tell you about my other great treasure—one I appreciate more and more every day.”

“What treasure is that?”

Grandma pulled Sally closer. “You!”

–Carol Raj

How about you? Have you memorized any Bible verses? Sometimes the best comfort is a Bible verse that comes to mind just when you need it. When you memorize verses, you are hiding God’s Word in your heart—a treasure worth more than diamonds, silver, or gold. Fill your mind with the truth of God’s Word so He can use it to encourage you and comfort you throughout your life.

Today's Key Verse: Your teachings are worth more to me than a thousand pieces of silver and gold. Psalm 119:72 (ERV)

Today's Key Thought: Memorize Bible verses