“How Shall The Young Secure Their Hearts?” (Psalm 119:9-16)
Spiritual Questions with Scriptural Answers.
As a father of four small children, I pray every day that they will grow up to be faithful Christians.
I know that they will face extremely difficult situations and be tempted on a daily basis, but I also know that I have a responsibility to train them up in the way they should go and bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord (Prov. 22:6; Eph. 6:4).
The question then must be asked, “How shall the young secure their hearts?” Thankfully, the Bible gives us the answer.
“How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word” (Psa. 119:9-16).
Let’s discuss some applications from this powerful passage.
By Taking Heed to God’s Word.
First, a young man can cleanse his way by “taking heed” to the Word of God. The phrase, “take heed” is found throughout the Scriptures.
For example, Moses instructed the children of Israel to “take heed to themselves and to the commandments of God” (Deut. 4:9, 19; 12:30). Joshua instructed the people to “take heed” and carefully keep the commandments of God with love (Josh. 22:5; 23:11).
In the New Testament, we read of Jesus encouraging His audience to take heed “what they hear” and “how they hear” (Luke 8:18). Paul instructed the elders in Ephesus to “take heed unto themselves” as they were to shepherd the church (Acts 20:28). Paul admonished the brethren at Corinth to “take heed” lest they fall (1 Cor. 10:12).
This phrase means to “be careful to maintain.” Young people are to be taught at an early age to know, love, and keep the commandments of God (Eccl. 12:1, 13-14).
By Hiding God’s Word in the Heart.
Second, a young man can cleanse his way by “hiding the Word” in his heart. The result of doing this is to fight off temptation when it comes.
Solomon said to “keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23) and “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7).
One greater than Solomon said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). It all starts in the heart; therefore, the heart must be trained by the Word of God. By hiding the Word in the heart, a young man will be better equipped to stand against the fiery darts of the wicked one (Eph. 6:10-17).
Jesus hid the Word of God in His heart and successfully overcame the temptations of the devil in the wilderness (Matt. 4; Luke 4). His weapon was the Word as He quoted from it three times leaving us a perfect example as to how we are to fight off sin.
By Meditating on God’s Word.
Third, a young man can cleanse his way by “meditating on the Word.”
The “blessed man” of Psalm 1 did just that and was successful in cleansing his way. He did not walk in the path of the ungodly, thus he did not stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of the scornful.
Why?
He delighted in the Word of God and meditated on it day and night (Psa. 1:1-3). He was planted like a tree by the rivers of water and brought forth good fruit.
The idea of meditation is not to empty one’s mind and heart but to fill the mind and heart with the truth of God! When one meditates on that which is “true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report,” his or her mind will be right and will be prepared to walk the right path (Phil. 4:8).
Young people can cleanse their way and stay on the right path if they will take heed to the Word of God, hide the Word of God in their hearts, and meditate on the Word of God every day.
May God bless us as parents as we strive to instill this important passage into our children’s hearts and may God bless our young people so that they will seek the truth of God and strive to apply it to their lives.
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia, and one of my best friends in this world. They live-stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
 | A guest post by
|