You and I daily see the power of God’s words standing fast as the sun faithfully rises each morning. When we hide God’s word in our heart, it creates a stronger foundation for our faith to flourish.

I want to encourage you with Psalm 33:10-11. Amidst the chaos of our world and nation, these words are as true for us as it was when they were written. It says, “The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” I love the word ‘all’ because it means without exception.

Memorizing: hiding God’s word in our heart, and meditating: ruminating on His truths ~  two disciplines that help us prepare for action. They bind up the things that would trip us or cause us to falter or fall. 

I am memorizing Psalm 33 which is a powerful psalm. I am also meditating on 1 Peter 1. Verse 13 says, “Gird up the loins of your mind…” The illustration is of the Orientals gathering up their long robes into a belt so they could prepare for action.

As I thought about this verse, my mind went back to Hebrews 7:9-10. It says, “Even Levi…paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.” The Greek word for loins is internally productive power.

Think now of God’s words. Genesis 1:3 says, “Then God said, Let there be light, and there was light.” Also verses 6, 9, 11, 14, 20, and 26 use the same words, “…God said…” I love Psalm 33:9 which says, “For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.”

I’m memorizing Psalm 33. Verse 1 says, “Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.” Rejoicing is praise. The Hebrew definition for rejoice is to sing out for joy.

Nehemiah 8:10 ~ the joy of the Lord is our strength. Need physical, emotional, or spiritual strength? Rejoice in the Lord. Here is one way. Isaiah 12:3 says, “Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

John 15:11 states Jesus’ gift ~ irrevocable joy. Psalm 43:4 says, “…to God my exceeding joy.…” Our joy is within, but we can cover it over with negative thoughts, unconfessed sin, allowing bitter roots to remain, etc.

Psalm 32:11 says, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” Upright means that our sins are confessed, and our heart is open to the Lord because there is nothing hidden.

Every time I read 1 Peter 1:4 I think of my father’s conversation. When I was really small his dad started building a boat. It was finally finished when I was 11. He named it after me. I christened the Marilyn A of Sacramento. 

My grandpa told my dad that he would inherit the boat when my grandfather died. In the meantime my dad’s uncle Elmer and family would have the boat. When my grandfather died, my dad called to find out where the boat was so he could go get it.

They told him that it was at the Sacramento River and the location. They ended by saying, “It is at the bottom of the river.” My dad’s inheritance was destructible. Followers of Jesus have an indestructible inheritance.

The verse says, “To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.” 

In the parable, the father asked the second son to go. He said that he would go and then didn’t follow through with his words. His message and messenger were not the same. Verse 31 says, “Which of the two did the will of his father?…”

James’ words and the parable challenge us to maintain a heart of integrity. We honor the Lord when we honor our words. However, to promise we will do something without inwardly acknowledging ‘if it is His will’ we can fall into error through the pride of our own accomplishment.

It humbles our heart to realize afresh that we are not in control. We have no strength on our own. We cannot endure without His grace. Obeying God’s word keeps us on His path of righteousness. James 4:10 says, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord…” Our heart and actions are totally open to Him.

In James 4:13 he wrote that there were folks who predicted what would happen in a year’s time. Verse 14-15 says, “Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow…Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

An echo from my childhood are the words, “If the Lord tarries, then we will…” We fall into error when we presume something will take place. David’s prayer in Psalm 19:13 in one I pray daily. It says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me…”

James 5:12 says, “…let your Yes be Yes, and your No be No, lest you fall into judgment.” Remember the parable of the two sons? Matthew 21-28 is the account. The father asked the first son to go work in the vineyard. He said he wouldn’t but then went. 

James 4:6 says, “…God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Think for a moment about praying with pride in our heart. Jesus gave a parable of the Pharisee and the publican. Luke 18:11 takes us into the temple to hear these words, “…I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.”

2 Corinthians 10:12 says, “…they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” I have a new mentee. She is a minor, and she struggles with low self-esteem. Where does that come from? Comparisons. 

Media can be a trap-stick for comparisons. There is a biblical standard. All have sinned. No exception. When we approach the Lord, we are coming with a need; ours or for someone else. We are bidden to come into His throne room to find grace. Grace is not given to one coming with pride in their heart ~ they will be resisted by God. Sobering thought.