Hidden In The Heart
Thursday, June 11
Hidden In The Heart
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11
The heart of man is a very private place. It’s the place where we hide intimate and personal thoughts that really matter to us. It’s also the place where we can bury things and hide them away like precious treasure. But it can also be a dirty secret place where we bury things, not because they are precious or valuable, but because we don’t want anyone else to know that they’re there! Especially things that we might be ashamed of, such as memories of sinful experiences which may still hold an attraction for us; things that we like to go back and revisit feeding the sinful nature from time to time.
Today’s passage from Hebrews knew the reality of this when the author wrote, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to the dividing of soul and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:12-13).
Our thoughts and attitudes of the heart, whether hidden or exposed, matters to God. Because these are the things that motivate our actions – whether good or bad. No wonder Jeremiah warned us that “the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
So, with so much stacked against us from within, how can we ever guard our heart and survive the onslaughts of the enemy which strike at the very core of who we are? By reading the Word of God. In our Scripture for today we discover the secret remedy that the psalmist had learned through long experience. He had hidden God’s Word, like buried treasure in his heart, where it could act as a macrophage against every deceptive intention that the enemy may want us to follow.
We will not always make the right choices, for Paul warned us that the will can be very strong (Romans 7:19) but, I can say, without question, that when we hide Gods word we are at a greater standing to fight the good fight. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Prayer for today: Thank You, Lord, that Your Word is truth. It cuts and it clears. Help me to resist temptation so that I continue to make godly choices throughout my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.