Thy Word Have I Hid
Studying the Bible over the years, has lifted me beyond my circumstances and given me peace and hope.
There have been so many moments where God’s Word came alive for me. It’s not just difficult or sad events that spring to mind either. Verses have become so real during joyous occasions as well.
I responded to a friend’s post the other day. Psalm 16 kept popping up wherever I looked. I guess I needed to read it. Verse 8 says, “I will not be shaken.”
January 6th had been on my radar for months. I knew that chaos was on the way. I had been closely following the political storm and many who reiterated it would be bad. Holy Spirit kept speaking to me through various ways: a friend’s text, a social media post, a kind greeting card in the mail. The messages were coming in loud and clear: PRAY!
Trying to listen closely, I gathered every bit of information He sent my way. Scriptures, sermons, prayer gatherings, etc. But on that day, I would need His Word to speak loud and clear to calm my heart. As the events of the day unfolded, all I could do was pray and the scriptures gave me such peace.
God’s Word has truly been that lamp to my feet and light to my path. He gently guides me. Sometimes, He quite literally smacks me in the face with it. He knows how to get your attention.
One of my 2021 intentions or goals is to read through the Bible Chronologically in one year. I’ve joined a few friends on the YouVersion Bible App and we can post a comment about the day’s reading. I’m finding it very fulfilling.
The reading in one of my devotionals really hit home. It began with Psalm 119:11, “Your word have I hidden in my heart…”
The story follows...A man named Michael Billester had visited an eastern Poland village in the late 1930s and gave a Bible to one of the villagers. The villager read it, was converted and passed the book to two hundred others, who were all saved just by reading it. When Billester returned in 1940, the group gathered for a worship service and he suggested they all recite a few Bible verses they had memorized.
A man stood up and said, “Perhaps we have misunderstood. Did you mean verses or chapters?” Billester was astonished to learn that the people had memorized whole chapters of the Bible. In fact, together, the two hundred villagers knew almost the entire Bible by heart.
This story spoke volumes to me on how important it is to commit Scripture to memory. Jesus Himself used it to defend Himself against Satan’s temptations. I felt this appropriate for us considering the climate in our country.
Ephesians 6:11 - “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”
So, use this mighty weapon (The Sword of the Spirit) in your arsenal, friend. He’s given it to you to protect you from the lies of the enemy. Make it a priority to spend time in the Word of God so it seeps into your heart and mind.
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
If you’d like, look me up and join me on the YouVersion Bible App on The One Year Chronological Bible plan. I’d love to hear from you!