Unpacking 31 Verses to Live By – Day 13
Beloved, do you love to read? I love a good novel. In my youth, I could read a romance novel in one day. However, when I went through the “Steps to Freedom” in 1994, I became cautious about what I read. I want to guard my mind against suggestive thoughts. There is a song I’ve sung with children, “O be careful little eyes, what you see, for the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little eyes what you see.” But, of course, there are many other verses. So, how do we protect our eyes, heart, and mind?
The best way is by unpacking this verse found in the longest chapter of the Bible; read this verse with me.
Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11
Beloved “Word” is in the Bible 1,247 times, Jesus is the Word as we read in John 1: 1,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Jesus declares to the Jews who were believers,
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8: 31-32.
I love to read the Bible and would love to encourage you to read God’s Holy Word. Reading plans are available, and you can even have the Bible read to you. However, in unpacking this verse, it says, your Word have I hidden in my heart so that I may not sin against you; to hide God’s Word, one must memorize the verse. Try it, write the verse several times, read it out loud, and practice does help. You can do this. Place the verse on your bathroom mirror in prominent places, share it with a friend.
Lastly, if you struggle to read God’s Word, ask Him to hunger for His Word.
There is one novel you can read without any worries about protecting your mind, and that is God’s Word.
Father God, thank you for your Word. Help me hunger for your Word; help me hide it in my heart.
Will you join me in reading God’s Word this year?
