Today’s reflection is from Jesse Landin. Jesse is the Director of Boys camp and is the Director of Fun.
Today’s Reading: Psalm 119:1-16
I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
-Psalm 119:11
I read an article the other day
It showed how many grocery stores around Ontario are now restocked with toilet paper… A lot of toilet paper… Like, three aisles of toilet paper, stacked 10 high. It looks ridiculous! Then again, the thought of people with 20 full packs of toilet paper in their house also makes me laugh a little…
But I get it.
I mean, when we look around, we see something that most of us never thought we would see. All of normal life has come to a screeching halt because of an invisible force. It’s not an enemy that we can even fight right now, which makes us feel even more helpless. For many, that fear response manifested itself in storing up supplies for the future, not knowing at all what the future might bring. I get it, it’s scary… and I would be lying if I said that I, too, were not a little anxious and fearful for the future.
What’s interesting is that the Bible encourages us to hoard, to store up.
No, it’s not talking about bathroom supplies or hand sanitizer, though those are both essential items for a pandemic. No, the Bible encourages us to store up God’s word in our life.
King David wrote in Psalm 119:11 “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” In fact, all of Psalm 119 is David’s declaration for his love of God’s word. David recognized the importance of reading and memorizing scripture, and the important role it played in living a Godly life.
Paul also valued storing up scripture, when writing to the Romans, Paul instructs them in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” What better way to renew your mind in God than by storing up scripture in your life.
Finally, Jesus reminds us that by storing up God’s word, we are better able to fight the temptations of crippling fear and dread. In Matthew 4:3-4, we see Jesus being tempted in the wilderness. His response: using God’s word. “And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4 But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
I believe God can use anything in this world for good
And I believe that there is a lot of good that can come out of this pandemic. If you are not currently reading scripture on the regular, I would encourage you to do so. Spencer Tamming wrote a great Digital Refresh on April 5th to that effect. But I would encourage you to go a step further, and use these days at home to commit scripture to memory. If you’re not sure where to start, then use the verses in this reflection: Psalm 119:11, Romans 12:2, Matthew 4:3-4.
Set your minds on the things above, friends.
Blessings,
Jesse Landin
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