With my whole heart I seek you…
I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes!..
In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
I not forget your word.
Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things in your law…
Your testimonies are my delight,..
my counselors… the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever.” Psalm 119:10-12,14-16,18,24,111-112
This psalm is chock full of praise, commitment, and earnest delight in God’s word. In itself it is a storehouse of wisdom. The psalmist’s account of longing and blessing fixes eye, mind, and affection on God’s good commands. Keeping them brings life, strength, clarity, right priorities, protection from sin, comfort, hope, peace, and assurance. The very song that expresses dependence on God’s word through the alphabet, relevant from beginning to end, is worthy to be stored and recited. (Psalm 119:25-28,32-37,41-48,75-77)
Through life we accumulate many things: ideas, knowledge, opinions, friendships, achievements, experiences, material goods. Every day we make choices how to spend time and where to direct effort. We formulate perceptions, train muscles, consume and act surrounding what we deem important or necessary. From where do we draw inner strength, wisdom, guidance for these outward endeavors?
What do our heart storehouses hold? What do we believe in, treasure, and expend effort to accrue? Where do we look for sustenance, fortitude, direction, inspiration? What we value, meditate on, pursue, and enjoy dictates what we store within, and what then in turn determines our life outflow. (Psalm 119:97-105,127)
If we want to be mighty in God’s strength, store His word! If we seek discernment and understanding, store His word! If we want fruitful relationships, and to emanate the fragrance of Christ, store His word! If we desire to make a difference in God’s kingdom and to serve for His sake, store His word! His storehouse is life-giving and never runs dry. (2 Corinthians 2:14-15)
“How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in God’s excellent Word!
What more can be said than to you God hath said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
for I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be near thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
my grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply;
the flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no, never, no, never forsake.” ~ R. Keen (1787)
Lord, keep me storing up and delighting in Your word, that my judgments and life reflect its glories.
