August 30, 2023: The Power Of The Hidden Word

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." (Psalm 119:11, ESV)

Everyone who is sincere about their relationship with God desires to live free from sin. David was such a man. He, like us, desired to live a life pleasing to God. There is nothing wrong with that motivation at all! Every Christian should want to live a life pleasing to God.

David reveals his secret of how to avoid sin. One translation of this verse says, "Your word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against you." David's secret to not sinning was hiding God's word in his heart. 
    
How does that work?  First, when you desire to live free from sin, you want to know what God expects from you, and that answer is found in His word. Second, Jesus said in John 6:63, "My words are Spirit and they are life." There is life in the Word, not death! Sin is spiritual death. The Word is life. Therefore, if we hide the Word of God in our hearts, we are filling our hearts with Spirit and life. Third, the Word judges our thoughts and actions. It lets us know what is of God and what is not. Having that understanding empowers me to make the right choices and avoid sin.
    
Knowing these three things about the Word should make every believer want to fill themselves with God's thoughts by devouring His word! Make your heart the storehouse of God's Word!