February 3

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." — Psalm exx. 11.

DAVID'S attachment to the word of God is worthy the imitation of all believers. It was the source of his joy, the food of his soul, his companion in retirement, and his guide through life. Here we have

A WISE COURSE TO BE ADOPTED. To hide God's word in our heart. It may be found in the house, in the head, in the memory, and yet not in the heart. This includes

Reception. Where it is hidden, it must be received; and where it is received, the judgment approves, the affections embrace, the heart feels, and the life conforms to it.

Regard. Many things are hidden, not so much for concealment as security. Thus our Saviour speaks of the "treasure hid in a field." The man who prizes God's word will not rest satisfied till it is deposited in his heart.

Remembrance. It is hidden in him, as something to which he has constant recourse. Memory is the hiding of certain objects in the mind for future use. A sanctified memory is preferable to a good natural one. The spirit of the word may be felt in the heart, where the letter is not retained in the memory.

AN IMPORTANT END TO BE ANSWERED. "That I might not sin against thee." Such a course, if it does not keep us free, yet it will restrain us from sin. There are some particular seasons when it will prove a safeguard. It will silence our murmurings in the day of affliction, it will prevent our yielding in the hour of temptation, it will keep us from despairing in the period of desertion, and, amidst our heaviest trials, it will lead us to the exercise of confidence in our heavenly Father; and we shall resemble the affrighted bird on some lofty tree, in the midst of the howling wind and storm; though her pleasing notes are for a season checked, yet she fixes herself more firmly on the shaking bough.