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These verses describe the desire to live in holiness and the way to do that. As we read and consider this Scripture, much of what is written describes the actions necessary to live in this way, words like: "seek," "hide," "praise," "recount," "rejoice," "meditate," "consider," "delight," "not neglect" (NIV). This Scripture is packed with ways for us to actively engage with God’s Word so that it takes root deep in our hearts. Verse 9 answers one for the ages: "How can a young man keep his way pure?" Answer:  "By guarding it according to [God's] word." Sounds simple, right?

Not so fast, friend. What does it look like to guard your way? The verses that follow (verses 10-16) show us. Let us hold fast in our knowledge that God’s Word is living and active, and we must apply it to our lives. As we do this, our lives become a pleasing aroma to our Father and to those around us.

It is interesting to note that this second of 22 short poems within Psalm 119 begins with "bet," the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet. "Bet" means "house or tabernacle," a place where God dwells. How much more meaning these verses hold knowing that God dwells in His words!

In the days of my youth and into adulthood, I pursued independence, appearance, wealth, and status. My highest ambition was serving myself and that resulted in a lack of purity, wisdom, joy, and peace. When my eyes finally saw the stark reality of the difference between the way I’d been living my life and the way God instructs us, the only choice for me was to trust Jesus fully and follow Him completely. In doing so, I determined to have God’s Word be my foundation for living. Thank you, Father, for the immeasurable value of Your Word. 

So then, how do we live now that we know this? By living according to His Word. May today be that day when the Word comes alive in each of us as we actively work it into our hearts.