August 15 – Storing Treasure

“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” – Psalm 119:11 (NASB)

Today’s verse affirms the value of internalizing the Word to defend against encroaching sin. We might ask how do we internalize God’s word? The Authorized version renders the verse; “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” There is a blessing to absorbing the Word of God because it is the truth and given to us as a guide to God’s will. (Psalm 37:21) God’s Word teaches us and shows us the path He wants us to walk on and when we do, receive abundant blessings. Knowing what is God’s will from His Word keeps our feet steady and guards us from slipping when we might (Psalm 73:2). How do we hide God’s Word in our heart? Well, remember that in Scripture the word 'heart' was used for the mind. Memorizations of God’s Word is how we hide and treasure it. Don't we already know about treasures? Another version renders this as “stored up your word.” We store up what we treasure for future use. Perhaps this verse is a good one to commit to memory right now? It can only help us to do so.

193

August 3 – Endless Supply Stored Up

“How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!”  Psalm 31:19 (NASB)

When we read and consider words like “stored up” we think of some large storehouses or warehouses we have seen. Whether they are in a port on water by the sea or bay or perhaps deep in the city or town.  We think of rows and rows of shelves piled high from floor to ceiling with things waiting there to be shipped or freighted out when needed. And we are encouraged to think of God's love and His goodness as being so great enough to more than fill up these storehouses.  Yes, God is good and He is ready to demonstrate His goodness in so many different ways. His supply is perfect, just what we will need, and it has been promised to us as we need it and as we call on Him for it.  Let's be sure that we never doubt His goodness. He is waiting for us to open ourselves to benefit from His goodness. He has stored up an endless supply of goodness for us. Receive that goodness  from Him today by finding your refuge in God.

- 181 -

October 9 – The Word Is True

“With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”  -Psalm 119:10-11   (ESV)

It was recently that we considered verse 11 in this Psalm.  We wish to consider it again in a broader context.  Each one of the 176 verses in Psalm 119 is a lesson about value of God's Word.  Eight words are used to identify God's Word including, law, testimonies, precepts, statues, commandments, judgments, word, and ordinances. The author, who is not known, seems to be experiencing serious duress as can be seen specifically in about 21 of the verses.  He has turned to God's Word with his whole heart for help and guidance.  We have from this the hope that if we seek God in His Word we also will be kept from straying off the path He has set before us.  It will help us find our way when we are confused and need clarity.  If we trust in what God has given to us in His word, it will lead us where He wants us to go.  That is our promise today –  176 times.

# # #

September 27 – Building Godly Character

“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (NASB)

We may be familiar with this verse being interpreted as to memorizing Scripture. It is true that when we memorize a Bible verse it is like hiding its message in our heart.  And it is also true that verses that we have memorized can come back to us in times of need.  But let us consider and  suggest hiding the truth found in God's Word in our heart without really memorizing exact words. Memorizing Bible verses is a very important practice we should all do. But so is memorizing the truth of the Bible with what we learn from it.  This is also a way of treasuring or storing God's Word in our heart.  Hearing the truths of God’s Word taught and accepting them by faith, makes them a part of our code of living.  It is through knowing the Word of God that our character is formed in a way that pleases and honors God.  Godly character helps us to live right and avoid doing something wrong. Our promise is that God's Word, when treasured, develops a holy life.

# # #

June 26 – Stored and Supplied

“How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19 (NASB)

In is not unusual to consider that the part of the Bible we draw many of the promises is the Song Book of the Bible – The Book of Psalms.  Even though there has been much change in the world since the Psalms were written, we can know this for certain, God's promises have not changed and the needs of people's hearts haven't changed either.  In today's verse from Psalm 31 we see two pictures. The idea of a storehouse or the act of storing up good things for those who are in awe and worship God.  We are reminded that God's goodness is ever ready, and His supply never exhausted, and he makes it available in large quantities so that we receive all we are promised. All that we need and more. The second visual is that of a place of supply in the middle of calamity and danger from others.  This is a picture of God actually handing out his goodness – he dispenses (wrought, bestows) what He has stored.  God goodness is not just safely stored away, it is put to use and it was created by God for Him to give to those who come to him for refuge and safety.  It is there for us, promised and stored up. 

May 25

“How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”  Psalm 31:19 (NIV)

Did you get the picture of the storehouse of goodness of God in these words? God knows how we need to experience His goodness and He wants us to know that He has lots of it to share with us. His goodness is stored up for our benefit.  How do we benefit from his goodness? We are told it is for those who fear God, those who revere Him. It is for those who seek refuge in God by trusting in Him for their needs. Let’s revere Him today and trust Him for everything. His goodness is there for us. Let’s take advantage of it!