During a recent retreat, I challenged the women to read through Psalm 119. I could hear some sighs from women in the room who knew how many verses were in that particular chapter while others just nodded their heads. One, in particular, was grateful for an assignment to help her focus. But what has been most encouraging to me, is to watch Facebook since that retreat and view their findings.
I, too, took the challenge and I want to share with you it’s conviction in my heart.
I love all that Psalm 119 has to say about the Word of God: blessed, purity, revival, encouragement, gives life, freedom, good judgement, knowledge and wisdom, hope, a true treasure, gives light and guidance……and so much more.
But reading it this time around, I saw something I never noticed before. I realized how many times it portrays the heart.
“Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11
Pastor Jack Tanis once said in his sermon, “God’s Word is His heart on paper.” Yes, it all begins in our hearts, the core of our being and from it flows the springs of life, one we will need to guard every day. (Proverbs 4:23)
The goal that we are after is an everyday walk with our Lord and Friend. The secret place with God is where we develop a heart for Him and His Word.
Picture an iceberg. The secret place is what happens below the waterline. Some of us live our lives without giving much intentional thought to carving out the space necessary to do the work necessary to shape lives of love, purpose, meaning, wisdom and virtue.
Under the waterline of an iceberg is a large rock formation which is where we get down to business with God. It is where His work takes place in our hearts allowing others see the result of that time spent with Him. That visible result manifests in what others see as the tip of the iceberg.
What happens under the waterline:
- You hear the voice of God
- You’re challenged to have a clean heart and pure hands
- You find comfort for the days that lie ahead
- You’re encouraged from past bondage
- You find strength to face a new day
- Plans are made
- It holds you together when everything around you is unraveling
What I shortly found out from reading Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge, was that the secret place is not the destination; it is only the catalyst that holds you together. It is designed of God to establish us in an intimate friendship with him that is walked out through the course of our everyday lives.
When reading Psalm 119:58, “I sought your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your word,” it challenged me. What exactly is all of my heart?
Jesus said that “from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts” (Mark 7:21). Because the human heart is deceitful above all things (Jer 17:9) and folly is found up in the heart of a child (Prov 22:15), the Spirit of God must give humans a new heart (Jer 31:33 ; Ezek 36:26) through faith that purifies it (Acts 15:9 ; cf. Eph 3:17).
The emotional state of the heart affects the rest of a person: “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit” (Prov 15:13); “a cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (17:22).
I desire a heart that seeks after God, enjoys His fellowship and is filled with His Word.
I am convinced this is an ongoing commitment, one that we need to be deliberate each day.
“Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.” Hebrews 4:7b
Don’t delay in taking the Psalm 119 challenge. Today is the day to soften your heart with the Word of God.
Journeying with Him,
Jessie