Treasure it up for Another Time, People and Purpose

Within the Jewish community, it is tradition that King David was the author of Psalm 119. He used this psalm to teach his young son Solomon the alphabet—but not just the alphabet for writing letters: the alphabet of the spiritual life.  In these 176 verses, the full focus is on God’s word. Some 155+ times: Word, law, statues, commands, precepts, decrees are used.  Each statement brings strong conviction, “Your statues are my heritage forever, I stand in awe of Your laws, The unfolding of Your words gives light, My heart trembles at Your word, All Your commands are righteous.”

I want to bring attention to verse 11, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Besides the amazing ability in having His word readily within us to always align our thoughts, behaviors, it has beautiful imagery.  Conveying what is being held is of great value, (“Your Word“) so valuable that it needs protecting. It refers to holding something, covering it, saving it for another person or time and purpose. Let’s read that again, “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”

Moses was ‘hid’ when he was born, Pharoah sent out a decree that all Hebrew baby boys were to be thrown into the Nile at birth.  Pharoah was a bit neurotic, concerned that the Hebrews were going to out number the Egyptians and soon over take them, “Do away with them!” So his mother hid him for three months, then as he grew, she needed to hide him among the reeds in the Nile. (Ex. 1 & 2)

The spies sent by Joshua “Go, look over the land, especially Jericho.” The King of Jericho got word the spies were there, sending folks to look for them.  Rahab knew these men represented God and NOT to be messed with,”I know that the Lord has given this land to you… for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” She hid them and protected them.  (Joshua 2 & 3) In both situations they were hidden and protected for a different time, for the lives of people, another purpose. Moses to deliver the Israelites from captivity, Rahabs’ whole family was saved because she protected the spies  and the spies gave reports of promise, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.”

So we too hide God’s word in our heart, there will come a time when that word that has been covered and protected will be needed and used.  The Holy Spirit will use the words that we have read, mediated on and hid in our heart and mind.  Those rhema words WILL bring deliverance, promise and life as we speak them to another.

“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Ps 119:18 ”  As we read God’s word, remember, it is not only for today, but we treasure it up for another time, people and purpose.  “I have hidden Your word in my heart .”

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Heb. 10:24)

• Geek Side Note: Psalm 119, the longest chapter in the bible with 176 verses. It is known as an acrostic poem, the verses are divided up into 22 stanzas, one for each of the 22 characters in the Hebrew alphabet. Each of the eight verses in each stanza begin with the same Hebrew letter.  Fun facts to share with your friends.  Now YOU can answer that trivia question “For $200 Alex Trebek!”