The Protection of Meditation

PSALM 119:9-16

How can a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed according to Your word.

10 

With my whole heart I have sought You;

Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

11 

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.

12 

Blessed are You, O Lord!

Teach me Your statutes.

13 

With my lips I have declared

All the judgments of Your mouth.

14 

I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,

As much as in all riches.

15 

I will meditate on Your precepts,

And contemplate Your ways.

16 

I will delight myself in Your statutes;

I will not forget Your word.

NKJV www.biblegateway.com

If there were a seminar on overcoming sin, many Christians would sign up, hoping to discover the secret to victory over their temptations. But the answer isn't elusive; it's right under our nose. All we need to do is open our Bible. Every answer the psalmist gives to his initial question of how to keep our ways pure involves Scripture.

   LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S WORD  (Psalm 119:9-10). This means we must spend time reading and meditating on Scripture in order to know what it says and means. But that alone isn't enough to guard us from sin; we must obey it.

   TREASURE GOD'S WORD IN YOUR HEART (v. 11). Since temptation usually comes unexpectedly, we must be prepared for it even when we can't grab a Bible. That's why having Scripture stored in our mind and heart is so important.

   REJOICE IN GOD'S WORD (v. 14). There is great joy and peace that comes with knowing Scripture. In fact, it should be worth more to us than all the wealth and possessions this world offers.

   MEDITATE ON GOD'S WORD (v. 15). We must take time to attune our heart and mind to the Lord, ponder His words, and receive the Spirit's help translating His instructions for our particular situation. This isn't a rushed process; it's a slow yielding of ourselves to the truths we read as we discover how to apply them. And consistency may require a deliberate commitment.

   When we faithfully practice biblical meditation, we will discover that the Holy Spirit has been busy transforming our thoughts, emotions, and actions so we'll be more pleasing to God and less attracted to sinful pleasures. That is good news!

Stanley, Charles F. "The Protection of Meditation," In Touch: Daily Readings For Devoted Living, February 2019, Atlanta: In Touch Ministries Inc. page 13.

My prayer for myself is that I will have the strength to put into practice what I have just read!!!