Monday, August 8, 2011

August 8, 2011

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

This week we are doing our Vacation Bible School and so I thought I would focus on a verse that I first learned at VBS years ago. It is the next to last Psalm I will deal with as I wind down my "Summer In the Psalms" sermon series. That verse is Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

Over the next several days I want to break down this verse to examine every precious truth. First, says the Psalmist, "I have hidden......."

What does it mean to "hide His Word ?" How does one do that?

For the sake of brevity and simplicity, let me suggest three quick thoughts on those questions.

You need to have a priority!

Obviously, you can't hide everything so you have to choose what you will hide. You will hide what is most important to you and that will be based on your value system. Either intentionally or subconsciously, everyone has a value system by which they prioritize where they invest their time, their talents and their treasures. In this Psalm it is implying that you must make sure you value God's Word above all else! Are you?

You need to have a plan!

There is a word for things that get unintentionally hidden. We say they are lost! You do not want to lose the Word of God! So you must be intentional about how you plan to hide it! Since the Word of God is "living and active" you cannot hide it just one time and leave it hidden. You may do that to your Bible but you can't do that to the Word. Since the Word is contained in the Bible you don't want to hide your Bible. This Psalm tells you that you must have a plan to regularly, if not daily, hide the word. Generally, that means that you memorize it. Do you have a plan to memorize the Word?

You need to have a place!

Some people store valuable items in a safe deposit box at their bank. Others have a safe in their home where they hide their important papers or items. High priority valuables must be hidden in a safe place. A safe place to hide those things is part of the plan. This Psalm specifically says that the safe place to hide God's Word is in your heart! Of course, that doesn't mean your organ that pumps blood, but in your soul - the spirit and the will and the mind. Once you memorize something it is stored safely in your mind and is available to encourage your heart and direct your will. You have a place to hide God's Word. He provided it for you. Are you using it?

The Word of God is the most valuable and enduring possession you have. It is the only thing that can lead you to everlasting life. Because of that there is an Enemy who is bent on stealing it away from you!

You better have it as a priority and execute a plan to hide it in a safe place! This is a matter of eternal life or death!