My Christian friends told me about an
opportunity to go on a summer service team. I applied and was
accepted! But how was I going to pay for the airfare? I told my
pastor about it and to my surprise and amazement, the men of the
church decided to sponsor my trip to San Francisco in the summer of
1966, between my junior and senior year of high school. (This church
was not the same denomination that was organizing the mission trip
which made it even more amazing!)
Being able to go was such a benefit to
me. First of all, it broke the chain of bondage in which I felt trapped. Second, it increased my faith that these men
would pay my way to go. And third, it opened up my mind and heart to
doing things beyond my capabilities. It broadened my horizons!
As I was talking with my cousin, I
said, “Somehow I had heard and learned a few Scriptures that said to "abstain from all appearance of evil.”
( I Thess 5:22) Also I Corinthians 16:13, “Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong” Be alert means to know what tempts
you so that you can stay away from it. These truths hit me like a
light bulb! Because I had this scripture hidden in my heart, I was
able to remove myself from this situation! I had not thought about
this part of my life for a long time and had never put it together
how important hiding the Word of God in my heart was to me at that
time as a new Christian, especially. Looking back now I really
believe I can say that God rescued me! He rescued me from a
potential life of sin and degradation.
When you think about it, the Lord Jesus
set the example when he was confronted by Satan in the wilderness.
Three times Jesus said, “It is written . . .” in response to a
temptation. And three times Satan was defeated. (Matthew 4:1-11) We
can do the same thing as we appropriate the word of God that we hide
in our hearts.
Here are some verses out of Psalm 119
to encourage all of us to delight in His Word:
Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up your
word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
15, “I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
18, “Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.”
35, “Lead me in the path of your
commandments, for I delight in it.”
105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.”
133, “Keep steady my steps according
to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me.”
The Bible doesn't just contain the
Word of God, it is the Word of God.
II Timothy tells us, “All
Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for
reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the
man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of
God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
I am so thankful for the Lord's
protection over my life and especially over my soul. I feel like I
was snatched out of the snare of the evil one over 50 years ago plus
many times since. And I believe we have no concept how often God
has watched over us and out for us that we don't even know about!
It is paramount to be living in the center of His will, within His
protection. Deuteronomy 33:27, “The eternal God is your dwelling
place, and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
I challenge you to hide the word of
God in your heart and mind so that you have a weapon to fight the
enemy when he comes to tempt you to sin.
Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with
his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his
faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror
of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence
that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and
see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord
your dwelling place – the most high, who is my refuge – no evil
shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent, for he
will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your
ways.”
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