SOAKING IN GOD'S WORD
Scripture Reading: Psalms 119:9-16
Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. - Psalms 119:11
The psalmist asked a question in verse 9 that we must each ask ourselves. How can a young man keep his way pure? How do we keep ourselves clean as Christians? His answer followed immediately- by paying attention to God's word. He then went on to say that he had hidden God's word in his heart so that he would not sin against God. Whatever is in a container is what will come out when pressure is applied or when it is lifted. Volcanic eruptions occur when magma accumulated beneath the earth's surface is forced up and erupts. Soak a sponge or foam in any liquid and squeeze it. It is that same liquid that will naturally gush out. Whatever you hide in your heart is what will come out when you're confronted with the issues of life.
In Matthew 4:1-11, Satan came to Jesus with three carefully crafted temptations. In all three instances, he progressively sought to pin Jesus down to compromise on his mission. He even quoted a scripture to make his case more compelling. However, in each case, Jesus responded with the appropriate scripture. Eventually the tempter left him alone for a season. Jesus could only have known what scripture to quote because he had already imbibed or studied them.
The key to living a blessed and upright life is to hide or soak God's word in your heart. Make it an integral part of your daily routine. As you store God's word in the crevices of your heart, it will come flowing out whenever you're squeezed by pressure, challenges, trials and temptations.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to fill my heart with your word that it might preserve me from being defiled.
