Not Sin Against Thee (Psalm 119:11)

Ken

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Psalm 119:11 KJV). Perfect sentiment. Not just rule keeping — Thou shalt, Thou shalt not — but maintaining our sacred relationship with God. We often confuse rote memory of Scripture with hiding God’s Word in our heart because it helped us to encourage our children to memorize Scripture — which is still important. But, we always knew hiding God’s Word in our heart meant more. Our relationship to the person of God is our relationship with the Word of God. A physical Bible is not our relationship. An intellectual Bible is not the goal. A living relationship with the One Who Is the Word is our quest (John 1:1; Revelation 19:13). Only then can we achieve the Psalmist’s goal — “that I might not sin against Thee” (119:11). Sin prevention is only possible through absolute dependence upon God Himself. “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Father, You are worthy of our deepest love, for You care for us. You gave us Your Son. You know our relationship to You must be protected from the corrosiveness of sin. May we learn to cling to You harder than any abstract attempt of memorizing Scripture, hoping that will be enough to prevent sin. Break through the false assumptions of sin prevention by merely reading or memorizing Scripture. Cause us to have a living, vibrant relationship with You that prevents the presence of sin. Lord Jesus, return quickly. Amen.