Psalms 19:14

Growing up in my home, one of the scriptures recited often was Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord my strength, and my Redeemer.” (KJV) It was said to us as instruction, correction, it was frequently rehearsed at the end of family devotions and became a prayer that this truth would become reflected in our lives.

What we think about does matter. What has our attention determines our path. There are very challenging things that God allows in our lives. How we interpret these events can draw us to our Lord or run from Him. Philippians 4:8 gives us insight on pleasing meditation of our heart, “Finally, brothers and sister, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. If we truly activate these criteria in our mediation,

what an outlook we would have. It would be uplifting to us, those around us and acceptable to our Redeemer!

When the mediations of the heart are lined up with scripture our mouth gets us in less trouble. Luke 6:45 says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (NKJV) Sounds like the litmus test of our communication.

The last part of this verse focuses on who we are pleasing: the Lord my strength and my Redeemer. This gives us two amazing truths about our Lord. He is our strength and in this verse the Hebrew word (צוּ ִדי) literally means Rock. Our Lord is unmovable, unshakable and the anchor for our soul. Our Lord is also our Redeemer with the Hebrew word (גוֹ ֵאל) always means “Deliverer” from sin, death or danger.

This small verse gives a huge victory in our walk with the Lord and a witness to others watching our life. 1) Mediate on God’s Word and His ways. 2) Speak and act on these mediations. 3) The Almighty God, the Rock and your Redeemer who delivers you will be pleased and living in the pleasure of God is where I want to be.

Pastor Ruth Kaunley