Yesterday we talked about asking God for understanding, and today I’ve found an answer earlier in the same psalm. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your Word. With my whole heart I seek You; let me not wander from Your commandments! I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Ps 119:9-11)

While I’m neither a man nor young, the message is the same for us all. In order to be in the mindset of wanting to keep God’s Word, we must meditate on His Word, hold it close to our hearts, keep reviewing it in our minds, so that we are keeping our minds on the things of God. And to do this, we must be careful of the company we keep. 

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (Ps 1:1-3) The Hebrew word for prospers here doesn’t mean make wealthy, it is to be successful in what he does for the Lord, because that’s his focus.

As Christ followers we are called to seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God; and to set our minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. We are to put to death that which is earthly (sinful) in us (Col 3:1-14), and instead put on our new selves in Christ.

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.” (Col 3:15-16) With these actions we will be like a tree planted by the Living Water, Jesus Christ, who will bear fruit through us.

I am thankful He called me to Him, went after me when I became a lost sheep, and pulled me back to the fold, reminding me over and over again that I can do nothing for His kingdom unless I stay on the vine. Thank You, Jesus!