Planted Not Buried // Psalm 119:11

Do you have anything that you hold tightly in your heart? I think about hearing Tiffany say, “I love you” for the first time, hearing Ethan’s birthing cry, and Mia calling me, “Datty.” Those words went straight from me years, through my brain, and deep down into my heart. I will never forget those for they speak to large chunks of my identity and purpose in the world.

Today’s verse comes from Psalm 119, which is the longest single chapter in the Bible. The Psalmist mentioned holding the Word of God in his heart to protect him from sinning against God. I really appreciate how the Psalm continues in the immediate verses, because it speaks to how the words hidden in his heart become the words spoken from the mouth. Jesus echoed this in His ministry when He taught about how the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart (Luke 6:45). The Psalmist’s point was to guard the heart with God’s words. Jesus’ point was to be mindful of what we produce from the heart since His words dealt with the fruit we produce. Therefore, we do ourselves a lot of good in realizing the Word of God should not be buried, but planted in our lives. They both work together seamlessly as we become more like Christ.

What are you hiding in your heart that ends up being revealed by your words (and deeds)? What do you hold so tightly to because it helps reveal your identity? Psalm 119:7 encourages us to praise God with at upright heart as we learn the Lord’s ways. May that be our posture and purpose as God’s holy word sprout in our heart and bloom glory wherever we go.