1
00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:10,520
Day 175 or June 24. What you believe is what you do. Our thoughts today are rooted in Psalm

2
00:00:10,520 --> 00:00:20,320
119 verse 11. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

3
00:00:20,320 --> 00:00:25,620
First the big picture surrounding this verse. A number of the Bible writers used different

4
00:00:25,620 --> 00:00:31,360
ways to aid memory for those who were unable to read and had to rely on the scribes and

5
00:00:31,360 --> 00:00:37,980
rabbis to know what the Bible said. A favourite method was to take each letter of the Hebrew

6
00:00:37,980 --> 00:00:45,920
alphabet and use each one in turn to record a particular theme. The writer of Psalm 119

7
00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:52,240
wanted to extol the virtues of the Word of God, and he used this acrostic method. However,

8
00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:58,640
the writer had so much to say that each letter had eight thoughts linked to it, and that

9
00:00:58,640 --> 00:01:08,200
is why Psalm 119 consists of twenty-two portions of eight verses each, making a total of 176

10
00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:18,040
verses. I remember writing each one as a punishment, but now I read them to thank God for His Word.

11
00:01:18,040 --> 00:01:24,440
And now our action step for today. When I was at school we were often given lines

12
00:01:24,440 --> 00:01:32,600
to write out as punishment for bad behaviour. At least I was. Too often. I clearly recall

13
00:01:32,600 --> 00:01:40,160
being told to write out a psalm from the Bible, but not just any old psalm—Psalm 119. I

14
00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:45,760
thought I had got off lightly until I turned to the Bible. Despite that, it is still one

15
00:01:45,760 --> 00:01:52,280
of my favourite psalms. The whole point that our chosen verse for today teaches is that

16
00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:59,960
we need God's Word in us if we are to act godly. Talk to someone for any length of time,

17
00:01:59,960 --> 00:02:05,520
and you will often discover what is close to their heart. If they are filled with enthusiasm

18
00:02:05,520 --> 00:02:11,680
for a good or bad thing, their words will betray their passion. I have to ask myself

19
00:02:11,680 --> 00:02:18,880
regularly if I have given enough hints each day to reveal my passion. If being a Christian

20
00:02:18,880 --> 00:02:25,800
were illegal, would I be convicted based on the evidence of my life today? A glass full

21
00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:34,440
of water when shaken oozes water. A box full of talcum powder when knocked puffs out powder.

22
00:02:34,440 --> 00:02:41,880
When you are shaken or knocked, what do you produce?