Frequent meditation on God’s word

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee”—

                                                                                                       (Psalms 119:11)

The book of Psalms begins with a most beautiful thought, “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psalms 1:1-2 ASV). Without a single doubt, there is the greatest pleasure and satisfaction to be found in keeping to the best of our ability the commands of our Lord as revealed to us in his word. By allowing God’s word to fill our hearts, mold our thoughts and guide our lives we will be enabled to live victoriously in this life and ultimately gain the greatest victory imaginable, eternal life with the redeemed of all ages. I am convinced beyond a shade of a shadow of a doubt that the word of God hidden in our hearts will make us wiser than any foe we encounter in this life and that includes the devil himself (Psalms 119:98, Eph. 6:10-17).

We know that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17). But we must not only hear that word, we must lock it into the innermost part of our being. If in our lives, God’s word is found only in a book we call the bible, and is not embedded in our hearts then we will find ourselves guilty over and over of neglecting the great salvation promised to us by God (Heb. 2:1-3, 4:1-2). It is a treasure that is hidden in our hearts and becomes a powerful shield against the fiery darts of Satan. Hidden in our hearts, the word of God influences every aspect of our lives and its precious promises become a balm for our weary souls as we are tempted and tried along life’s pathway.

So long as God’s word is hidden in our hearts it will act as a great beacon light that will guide us safely through these treacherous waters of life. When our heart allows the word of God to light our pathway, it will always lead us in a way that is right and cannot be wrong. Hidden in our hearts, it will keep us from falling or wandering off the strait and narrow way that leads to life everlasting. It is to be understood that all of this applies only to those who allow the word of God to be the rule of their lives (Psalms 119:105).

 Frequent meditation on God’s word is an absolute essential for each of us (2 Tim. 2:15, 1 Pet. 2:2, 2 Pet. 3:18).  I am fond of the Contemporary English Version of Psalms 1:1-2: “ God blesses those people who refuse evil advice and won’t follow sinners or join in sneering God. Instead, the Law of the LORD makes them happy, and they think about it day and night”. Without a doubt meditating upon the precepts of God and hiding them in our hearts will enable us to find comfort, happiness and peace in our daily lives.

Charles Hicks