“I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
A few months ago, while packing boxes, I was standing in a room full of books and items trying to determine what I needed to keep, and what could be given away or trashed. There were things which, at one time, had been necessary for the moment but were no longer worth keeping. I was trying to be very discerning as to what was most important; what was of great value to me; and what was of utmost importance to store. If you’re like me, boxes of things you’ve forgotten about tend to follow you from one move to another. It wasn’t an easy process, and at times it was emotional, but it was necessary in order not to waste storage space with things that I really didn’t need.
Recently I was unpacking a box, and came across something my mom had kept and given to me years ago. It was a sweatshirt from when I was in Kindergarten at Carnell Elementary; the Carnell Colts. For those who know me, I can hear you joking about how I could probably still wear it. Maybe I can, and maybe I can’t. Nonetheless, I didn’t need it and it was just another thing to store somewhere that would continue to follow me, in a box, from one place to another. Don’t get me wrong, just looking at it brought up some great memories. It was the sweatshirt that made me run faster when I wore it, and gave me special skills when I was playing football at recess. But it was time to part with the sweatshirt. “Kenny, give me the woobie.” (Those who know great lines from great classic movies will get that reference.)
Here’s the point: It is hard to store what is most valuable, necessary, and important when there are lesser things taking up space. I’m speaking of something of much greater worth and significance than the things of this world that get lost, are stolen, fade away, become destroyed, or rust.
The Psalmist writes,“I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
To “store” something means that I not only keep it, but in this context in the Hebrew writings it means to “hide away,” because it is like treasure. In other words, the writer of this psalm is saying that God’s word is of such great value in showing me how to navigate life so that I take steps in the right direction, that its counsel, comfort, and truths are worth treasuring in the place where my emotions are stirred. God’s word is of great worth because it becomes guardrails to my affections and emotions, pointing them in a Godward direction. As well, it speaks truth to the thoughts in my mind that so often can become conflicting.
CLEAN OUT THE CLUTTER . . .
There was a popular show a few years ago, Hoarders, that shed light on compulsive behavior revealed to hoarding items within a home: food, trash, books, toys, clothes, and other things piled up to the ceiling, blocking the hallways, filling up rooms, thus making it impossible for healthy and safe living conditions. There were some episodes that were hard to watch. To see what some people had become trapped in due to trauma or a tragedy in their lives was heartbreaking to say the least. The purpose of the show was to bring in help by way of therapists and professional organizers to assist in the physical clean up, as well as ongoing counseling for those suffering from compulsive hoarding disorder. Some were success stories; others were not.
When I think about what I’ve stored in my heart, and what I still have a tendency to hoard, they are certainly not things that keeping me from sinning against God, but rather keep me in sin against God: anger, jealousy, envy, pride, unforgiveness, and the list could go on. Some of these are blatantly obvious; you can see them clearly. But there are, perhaps, those feelings and thoughts that have been tucked away deep in the recesses of your heart and mind, that you have kept so long, yet give no thought to, that are negatively affecting your life in ways you haven’t really considered. All of these take up space that crowds out our heart, and leaves no room for the true treasure we need to store. When God shows me what I need to rid my heart of, as I confess those things as sin, I begin to experience and enjoy the freedom found in treasuring Him.
King David, prayed this in Psalm 139: “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” In other words, David was acknowledging, “God you know my heart. You know what hurts me, and grieves You! Show me and lead me in how to really live life well!”
I’ve found that asking God to show me what is in me, that I’m not even aware of, is a healthy spiritual discipline that eliminates the clutter and creates space for the true treasure God has for me. It believe it will be for you, as it is for me, a daily discipline that will help you take steps in the right direction.
KEEP THE TREASURE . . .
There is a state park not too far from where I live that is known for digging for diamonds. People will come from all over the country to explore the 900-plus acres in hopes of unearthing diamonds. Just a few years ago, there was an 8-carat diamond found that was worth close to $500,000. That’s crazy. I really do need to get a shovel.
Can you imagine digging up a diamond that’s worth half a million dollars? Talk about finding treasure. But there’s a different kind of treasure in God’s word that is lasting; it’s eternal; and it is much more valuable than an 8-carat diamond. I can hear some saying I’ll take the $500K . . . in cash, please. Money isn’t evil, but the love of it sure is. I don’t have time to tell you the countless stories of people who thought they had true treasure after winning a lottery, only to later declare for bankruptcy.
When your soul lives lavishly on the riches of God’s word you have stored in your heart, you recognize more clearly the worthless trinkets the world seeks to sell you as treasure. I’ve come to realize that when a heart is void of the authentic treasure of God’s word, it will easily pursue what deceptively sparkles like diamonds.
To begin a day without storing up the life-sustaining and life-protecting treasure of God’s word, is like waking up and deciding to walk across the Sahara Desert with no water or food. You will not make it far. So, I strive to begin each day digging into the Scriptures. And daily, I always come away with treasure that enriches my life, and helps me take one more step in the right direction.
As you think on this, ask yourself, What do I need to rid my heart of that is keeping me from storing up true treasure and taking one more step in the right direction?
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