Garrett Brewer
“I have stored up your words in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11
I am a forgetful person. I have tried to deny the fact or defend against it, but it is true. From the time I was a boy I have managed to misplace my belongings in some of the most unique places. I have lost my toys under the bed, my fishing pole in the shed, my keys behind the couch, and my wallet on top of the refrigerator. I absolutely hate it and I try to fight against it, but by nature I tend to be a forgetful person. My family and friends can attest. If you have been around me for any significant length of time there is a pretty good chance you have helped me look for something that I have misplaced. If I am going to remember things, names, or whatever I must be very very intentional with what I do. But even then, it is hard. Just this weekend I placed an item I needed beside the door, was reminded by my wife not to forget it, and I still took four steps out of the door before Anna chased me down with the item in hand. I can say it is because I am busy (because I am) or I can say it is because I have a lot on my mind (which I do), but either way I look at it I am forgetful.
So are you.
It’s true. You may be the most meticulous and methodically organized person on the planet, but you have a tendency to forget. Don’t think so? What did you have for lunch Monday? Ham sandwich, potato chips, and an apple huh? Ok good. What did you do three Saturdays ago? Hmmm…..good question. Or what about this time last year? What were you doing on this day last year? Chances are you do not know. You once knew, but you forgot. Hey, its okay to forget. Our fallen nature has led to forgetfulness. With sin, forgetfulness entered the world and into our minds. This may seem somewhat insignificant, but in reality it is sinful. Now there may not be anything immoral or debase about me losing my wallet, but when I forget what little I know and have learned about God’s Gospel and I do not give Him the credit He is due, it is sinful.
The psalmist writes in Psalm 119:11 that he has “stored up” God’s Word in his heart. I love that – to store up God’s words in our hearts to keep us from sin. For me, I find great delight knowing that I have been kept from sin through obedience. Obedience can be a hard thing, but storing up God’s Word sparks obedience. So how can we store up:
It is important for us to write down what God tells us. That can be in the form a journal, an online blog, letters, sermon notes, etc. I believe it is so important to put pen to paper (or fingers to keys) and work it out in our mind what the Lord is teaching us. It also helps us to remember it as well.
I have seen over the past few years that a great way for something to stick in my heart and mind is when I tell and teach it to others. When the Lord tells you something it is often good to share it with friends or family. God wants to use you to speak truth into the lives of others. When you teach and tell, it sticks in your own heart.
The things that have meant the most to me and have stuck to the foundations of my heart are the soft-spoken truths that take on personal meaning. God wants us to let the scriptures get personal in our lives. Don’t just simply read or listen, but let God’s Word read you. When reading scripture becomes more than just trying to gain knowledge, it will get personal fast. That is a very good thing.
Finding delight in the Lord is about staying in connection with Him. You do this by storing His Word in the recesses of your heart and mind.
