“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
—Psalm 119:11
Ephesians 5:26-27 tells us that Christ “sanctifies and cleanses His church with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word” (Psalm 119:9). The Bible is God’s cleansing agent against sin. Therefore, stick close to the Word of God and let it be your constant companion. Proverbs 6:21-24 speaks to the young men about the God’s Word, “Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck. When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you. For the commandment is a lamp, and the law a light; reproofs of instruction are the way of life, to keep you from the evil woman, from the flattering tongue of a seductress.”
As followers of Christ, we must lay up the treasure of God’s Word in our hearts even if it comes at great cost. And do not say you have no time to read God’s Word. Say it the way it is –you will not make time. Do not say you cannot memorize Scripture. How many of you can remember the score of the ball game, the players, and all their statistics? When the church will not tremble before the Word of God, when the church will not preach the Word of God, when the church will not cherish the Word of God, when the church compromises the Word of God, then it ceases to be the church! It does not matter what the sign on the building says. And this process happens when parents fail to teach their children by word and deed that the Word of God is a great, glorious, and indispensable treasure above all treasures. God made our hearts for one treasure –Him. And when we make sports, entertainment, or possessions our treasure, then the Word of God will be neglected. Jesus said Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Therefore, dear Christian, hide God’s Word in your heart. Be diligent to sit under the faithful preaching on the Lord’s Day, and do not come to sleep; do that at home. Come to listen, to pay attention, to engage your mind, to love God with your mind. Come as a humble, needy, thirsty soul for the Word of God. Talk about the Word of God with your children (Deut. 6). Take time to read and memorize it. Show your children that memorizing God’s Word is as important for you as it is for them. Beloved, the psalmist was resolved to have God’s Word in his heart so that he might not sin against the Lord. What about you? Is this your resolution?
Friday Devotional: July 10, 2026
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
