This Day in History: 0000-05-21
May 21 – Psalms 119:9-16
How can a young person stay pure? By obeying Your Word. I have tried hard to find you – don’t let me wander from Your commands.
I have hidden Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
I praise You, oh Lord; teach me Your decrees. I have recited aloud all the regulations You have given us. I have rejoiced in Your laws as much as in riches. I will study Your commandments and reflect on Your ways. I will delight in Your decrees and not forget Your Word.
Can we really even hope to live a life that’s pleasing to God? Is it possible for a person to stay pure? We all know that David, the author of this Psalm, sinned. The Bible records that for us so that we’ll never forget. David will forever be remembered as an adulterer and a murderer, and yet, God called him “a man after God’s own heart.” He’ll forever be remembered for that too, and it’s a good indication that God was pleased with him.
I think Psalms 119 gives us a beautiful glimpse into the heart of King David, the sinner whose heart followed hard after God, and offers an example for all of us to follow. It reveals a man whose deepest desire was to have an intimate relationship with his God, but who was depending entirely on Him; His strength and His Word, in order for that relationship to be possible.
Can we each say that the cry of our hearts is in line with this passage? Have we tried hard to find God, and appealed to His strength to keep us from wandering? Have we hidden His Word away in our hearts? Have we studied it? Have we memorized it? Do we reflect upon it day after day and night after night? Do we have hearts that praise Him continually? Do we ask Him to teach us His ways, and recite Scripture aloud throughout our days? Do we have an attitude of gratitude when it comes to the Bible? Do we praise God that we have His Word at our finger-tips all the time? Do we consider that as valuable as our house, or our cars? Is it our most treasured possession? My friends, if we want to be men and women after God’s own heart then we must immerse ourselves in His Word! It should be like air to us! We are treasured beyond measure to our Lord. So let’s hide His Word in our hearts so that we can stay pure and not sin against Him.