Deuteronomy 17:18 “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites.
As part of the crowning ceremony of a king, it was mandatory for the kings of Israel to write down a copy of the Mosaic Law by hand before they assumed office. The Mosaic Law includes social, ethical, moral laws and the mandatory requirements of a king. By writing it down, the king not only refreshed his memory but also committed to follow the written code. The Lord God made this a requirement so that the kings will not have messy minds and hardened hearts towards Him and the flock of people entrusted to them. The mandate was put in place to keep the heart and mind steadfast on the Lord and that power, possession and prominence would not make them proud and pompous.
Writing helps our memory by forcing us to slow down and be more intentional, so if we wish to retain relevant information it is important to write down by hand rather than typing. Research on college students showed that they remembered more information from a lecture if they took notes by hand than if they typed them. Handwriting activates large regions of the brain that are responsible for thinking, language, healing and working memory.
Before science could research and elucidate the facts that handwriting helps memory and mental health, the Lord God made it mandatory to write down the instruction manual to lead the people with integrity and truth. Kings, rulers and leaders who loved God’s Word served Him and the people faithfully as their mind was focused on God’s instructions.
Handwriting helps our mind and mental health:
1. Mandate: The Lord God has given us a simple mandate that will keep our minds sound and stress-free. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts (Deuteronomy 6:6). A messy mind has missed the mandate of God but a sound mind has imprinted His Word and follows His mandate meticulously.
2. Memory: Memorize God’s Word by handwriting it down over and over again until it is printed in the mind. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates (Deuteronomy 6:8-9). Sticky notes and post-its with promises and Bible verses on our laptops, mirrors and workstations help us to ruminate and regurgitate God’s Word.
3. Mental Health: Writing helps with healthy mental health. Write down your vision and purpose and revisit it. Handwritten visions activates thinking, planning, confessing, professing and aids in execution of the plan. Research has shown that 42% of the people who write down their goals are more likely to achieve them than those who don’t. Writing God’s Word keeps the mind healthy.
Memorizing God’s word is the antidote to messy minds.
Proverbs 7:3 Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
Prayer: Father God, I will fill my mind by writing down your Word and memorizing your promises. May your Word always be my mandate. Amen.
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