When Jesus was twelve years old, He went with His family on a journey to celebrate the Passover, and wound up being separated from them for three days. Mary and Joseph searched for him and finally found Him in the temple talking to the teachers there. When Mary asked why He had worried them so, Jesus said to her. “How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?”
They didn’t understand the words He said to them, but Mary kept the words in her heart. Matthew 2:42-51
Many times, we hear something that stirs an interest or touches us in some way and we, like Mary, hide these things in our heart to be remembered later. As children most of us spent time memorizing poems, verses and answers to important questions in school. Much of it has probably been forgotten by now…except the one’s that meant something to us. Those are hidden in pages of our heart, pressed and preserved for a time we choose to take them out and savor their wisdom. Bible verses, wisdom from God, He often hides in our hearts and our memory, just in case we need them sometime in the future.
My fourth grade teacher was big on memorizing. Every few weeks, we received a new poem to remember and recite the following week. I still recall the ones that were short or fun to learn. We memorized the preamble to the Constitution, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, names of states and their capitol cities, The Night Before Christmas…the list goes on.
As a Sunday School teacher, trying hard to teach His word, I memorized the verses that went aong with each lesson and encouraged my students to do the same. I cannot count the times the words hidden in my heart have come to mind, giving me guidance, reminding me of God’s grace, assurring me of His love and making me know I am not alone. Memorizing and hiding things in our heart are not exactly the same thing, but they are closely related.
Sometimes, the things we hide in our hearts are not good and do not bring comfort or relief when called to mind. Feelings of hate, anger, regret, embarrassment, or hard feelings towards others who have offended us also get hidden. These feelings and thoughts, like the weeds in a cotton field, need to be tended to at times. So they don’t grow and overwhelm the good thoughts and feelings. That’s when the words of God are needed most…and if our hearts are tuned in to Him at all, He will bring them to mind by directing our thoughts…His Spirit whispering to ours.
Let us recall the words of King David in Psalm 139:23-24 and pray with him: Search me , O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that all things work together for the good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.
Years ago, while struggling with some problem, I let my thoughts take over and worry filled my mind and heart. I was thinking things like if this happens, then that will surely happen and if that happens…Suddenly, the words: “Gird up the loins of your mind and be sober,” God whispered in my ear. Then: “Be still, and know that I am God.” These words I had read several times in my Bible and now He used them to bring me back to reality. I cried and thanked Him for sending this wisdom at the perfect time. I knew I had to get my thoughts in order (gird up the loins) and just know: Even if this or that happened, God is the one in control…and all things work to the good for those who love Him…so why was I wasting my time worrying? I apologized for doubting Him and placed the problem back where it belonged…in the hands of the One who loves me most and watches over every situation.
As we ask the Lord to search our hearts and put them in tune with the desires He has for us, may we all find the peace that passes understanding and may we share it with others throughout this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!