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Psalm
119:11, "Thy word have I hid in mine heart,
that I might not sin against thee."
This morning, the importance of Scriptural
understanding is as vital as it has ever been. When
one "looks for answers" in this old world, there is no
source to match the wealth and treasury of wisdom and
understanding of the Holy Scriptures to find solutions
to modern-day problems. If we truly want to end
social diseases and community dysfunctions, obeying
the Scriptural mandates regarding marriage and family
would see the demise of these issues. Should one
verily seek to know their course and purpose in life,
reading modern books for their lives will not compare
to the Book that teaches us how to pursue God-fearing
lives. Modern-day books may have nuggets here and
there, but the teachings of God's Holy Bible are still
as fresh, vibrant, and relative to the here and now as
they were when originally penned by Divine
Inspiration. But, let us look at our personal conduct
and regard to Holy Writ this morning to see how it is
that we should grow in grace and the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
There are many reasons for studying the written word
of God, and several of these reasons are good and
noble in thought. But, David here brings out the
primary reason that we should study these things, and
that is to not sin against God Almighty. While our
new man is burdened by our personal sins when we go
astray (such as lying or stealing), there are
transgressions that may go unnoticed by us (sins of
omission) by failing to study the Bible and hide its
contents in our heart. Scriptures declare that
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together in
public worship ought not be done. (Hebrews 10) But,
without reading God's word, we may not come to that
conclusion in our own perspective. Scripture declares
that we are to outwardly confess, believe, and trust
in the name of Jesus Christ. (Romans 10) But, lack of
knowledge about our Dear Saviour (such as His name,
work, and promises) will keep us from acknowledging
and professing Him as we should. Therefore, we need
to understand first and foremost that keeping these
precious words in our heart keeps us closer in paths
of righteousness with our Lord.
Study, meditation, and keeping of these words of
life also keep us from being ill-prepared for
earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to
the saints. Sometimes, I must, regrettably, re-learn
or be re-taught the same principles of Holy Writ over
and over. Paul upbraided the Hebrews at the end of
Hebrews 5 for needing to be re-taught basic concepts
again when they should have been at the point of
teaching them. Our Saviour rebuked Nicodemus in John
3 for being a master in Israel and not knowing the
things that He was teaching. When we fail to hide the
word of the Lord in our heart, we will never go on
unto perfection in the knowledge of Christ the Lord.
It should be a shameful thing to stand in ignorance of
the basic tenets of Scripture after years of service
in the church among the Lord's people.
Another point of hiding the word in our heart is
that it is more difficult to be swayed and lose
something. We have all heard the expression "learned
that by heart." Many times, we can say things (or
sing things) without having to think about them because we treasure them in our
heart. Grandmothers
do not have to think about their grandchildren's
birthdays. Mathematicians do not have to think about
certain principles and equations. Builders do not
have to think about common codes and laws. These
things are kept close, and therefore, do not have to
be thought back out as they are special. May our
knowledge of the goodness of God through His word be
so that we do not have to ponder about some deception
before us. We will know that it is a deception by its
clear contradiction to God's Holy Law. May our
knowledge of His precepts be such that we know what
the right course is to pursue as His treasure is
buried deep within our soul. There is a verse from a
hymn that we love that says, "May we receive the word
we hear, Each in an honest heart; And keep the sacred
treasure there, And never with it part." The things
we hear proclaimed from Scripture in preaching need to
be kept and never parted with due to lack of use.
Finally, again getting back to the pivotal point of
this thought in not sinning against our Father which
is in heaven by our conduct and actions, we find that
it is pleasing to our Father when we do not stumble
about in ignorance. It is pleasing to Him when we are
not carried about by every wind of doctrine and the
cunning craftiness of the sleight of men. He has
given us a great gift in His word that should be
utilized often and regularly. By keeping these things
close, we can build line upon line, precept upon
precept, here a little and there a little. Things
will not come flooding in at once like a ruptured dam,
but continual meditation and study of them will build
bit by bit like the construction of a large building.
May our construction be sound, balanced, and continual
so that we are built up as a tower and light that
testifies to the goodness of God in our lives. In so
doing, we will have closeness of fellowship with our
Master and be a good ensample to our communities.
Most importantly, we trust to engage ourselves to
these things to not sin against Him.
In Hope,
Bro Philip
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