Friend —
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD; Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of All the ordinances 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 regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Psalm 119: 9-16 NAS
Greetings!
Before we discuss anything else will you please join me in prayer for all who are in the path of hurricane Ian?
Lord Jesus we intercede for Your protection over every person, home, church, business, school, crop, building and more in the path of hurricane Ian. You are our shield and strong tower. Please carry those who need to evacuate to safety. Calm the winds and seas that obey Your voice and calm the hearts of those running into the storm to help. Move the hearts and hands of Your people to provide help and resources so that Your love is manifested. Prompt our lips and lives to testify to Your Word that is treasured in our hearts. Protect and provide in ways that Your name is glorified. We pray this in the powerful, wonderful name of Jesus, Amen!
It has been said that storms reveal foundations; what has been poured and put into the foundation shows up in strength and steadfastness when the storms show up. Jesus shared this in the parable of the wise man building his house upon the rock and the foolish man building on a foundation of shifting and unstable sand.
This is not just true for houses but hearts as well. Most Jewish and Christian scholars maintain that Psalm 119 was composed by King David. The first letters of the verses follow an alphabetical acrostic going through the Hebrew alphabet making it a powerful teaching tool of truth that could be remembered and recited despite being the longest chapter of the Bible. In this section we are prompted to ask the Lord to teach us His Word; His commands, processes, procedures, boundaries, and blessings with a commitment from the student to treasure these in his heart, tell them with his lips and put them into practice. Jesus told us that from the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks, the words and tone that come out of our mouth reveals what is stored up in the heart. It is vital that we study and store up Scripture in our hearts so that in the daily troubles and stormy seasons of life we remain resolute and can even remind ourselves and others of God’s ruling, loving, power in our lives.
Next Thursday Oct. 6th is Take Your Bible to School Day. It comes on the heels of See You at the Pole the week before as students boldly make a public profession of their faith by praying for their school in view of all their peers. Taking their Bible, not just the one accessible in their cell phone, respectfully expresses their belief in the truth of God’s Word. We all know that just owning a Bible does not change your life, but studying and living it will. Students who treasure God’s Word in their hearts will recognize truth from trash; they will not be easily swayed by a personal opinion when they are familiar with God’s ordinances. With God’s Word guiding and guarding their hearts and minds they will not be easy prey for evil schemes and sin-filled agendas and assignments but will know the truth and be set free from the snares of sin that seek to capture their attention and affection.
The storms of life swell and rage in many ways but God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Please join me as we pull this verse from the treasures of our heart and pray it together now.
Lord Jesus You are “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging,” our hearts will remain steadfast in You. We will mediate on Your Word and exalting Your unchanging authority and affection over our lives. Keep us, your children, strong and courageous at every age from young to old as Your Word overflows from our hearts into our character, conversations, and conduct. In the authority and affection of our wonderful Savior’s Name we pray, AMEN!
Serving Him with gladness,
Kathy Branzell
President, National Day of Prayer Task Force
About the National Day of Prayer
The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress’ proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer. In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.
National Day of Prayer Task Force