Reflections for Lent

Psalm 119:9-16 NRSV

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, LORD; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

You may ask how somebody could live a life changed and pure? Well, it all has to do with the word of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. You should seek him wholeheartedly and not stray from his word. Even when it may seem impossible. Keep his word in your heart so you will not sin against him. For he is blessed and you will share his word with others so that his word shall flourish and seep into the life of others. Eventually they will be led to do the same. As they delight in his word and focus their eyes on his holiness. You will forever know his word. 

You will not forget. One way that I practice this is hiding God’s word in my heart. That takes a bit of memorizing work. A few ways that I like to memorize scripture is by writing it on several notecards and placing them around the house in places that I brush my teeth or in the front of my notebook for school. When I was younger, we would listen to scripture set to music from a kids worship album. Whatever method works best for you, it is important to hide God’s word in your heart so that you can live a life that pleases Him. 

~Paxton Stafford~ 

Dear God, As I work to memorize Your word, will You please help my mind to hold on to Your truth? Help me to recall Your ways and Your truth in times when I need it in order to live a life that pleases You.