Guard Against Spiritual Leaks
All kinds of bad things happen if you have a leak. If it’s a water leak, then you might discover mold growing and possibly structural damage to your home or office. A leak in your water system will also run up your utility bills. The consequences of leaks in automobiles and our homes are expensive and potentially hazardous.
I fear that while we might be generally attentive to leaks when it comes to gas lines and our water supply, we may forget that leaks can also impact our spiritual health. In Psalm 119:9, the psalmist asked this question: “How can a young man keep his way pure?” The psalmist is likely older now and looking back on his life as he posed the question to himself. I suspect that if we had a conversation with David, he would probably say that the answer he gave to this question works at any age. His answer: “By guarding it according to your word.”
Guarding something that is valuable is similar to checking for leaks. You cannot do it once and forget about it. You must have a way to regularly check yourself and the condition of your mind and heart just as you diligently protect your physical property. David continued his answer: “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.”
Throughout this psalm we are given specific actions the psalmist took to protect his heart. Here are a few that will help us keep our hearts and minds on the right things and avoid the spiritual leaks that can cause us so much harm.
1. Speak God’s word out loud: “With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.” When you say it out loud to God, it becomes a prayer and a point of accountability. Reading God’s word is valuable, but we often are lazy with applying the content. And not every verse is intended to be a point of action. But if we are not careful, we read and never absorb or apply God’s truth (v. 13).
2. Meditate on God’s words and fix your eyes on his ways. As you read God’s word, find something you can focus on and apply to your life each day (v. 15).
3. Ask God to open your eyes to what he wants to teach you as you read (v. 18).
4. As you pray, ask God to reveal the areas of your life that are not aligned with his word (v. 29).
5. Daily choose the path of faithfulness (v. 30-32).
Psalm 119 is filled with practical ways that we can daily check ourselves so that we stay focused on living the life that God has called us to in Christ. When we choose to take in God’s word and apply it to our lives, then we will see spiritual growth in ourselves, experience more joy, and the fruit of God’s word and spirit will be visible to others. And instead of springing a leak in our spiritual core, we will become a spring of living water that we share with those around us!
Father, thank you for your word. As we begin this day, we declare that we will seek you with our whole hearts. Teach us your truth and guide our thoughts and actions that we might be a reflection of your love and kindness to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 119:9-18, 27-32 ESV
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