MAY 7

Psalm 119:9
Memorise 2 Timothy 2:22
“…flee also youthful lusts…”

The Psalmist asks a question that is very pertinent to teenagers – “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” The Psalmist may not have been a young man when he wrote this Psalm but he understood that young people have to wrestle with sins, youthful lusts and the temptation of the world. He specifically directs this question to young people as he also knows that it is important to start striving for a righteous life at a young age. He echoes Paul in 2 Timothy 2:22 in calling on young people to “flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart”.

After asking the question, the Psalmist immediately provides the answer – “by taking heed thereto according to Thy word”. Taking heed means to pay special and careful attention to something. In this case, the Psalmist calls on young people to read God’s Word carefully and deeply, measuring their lives by its standard. They are to examine their lives as they read God’s Word, taking care to repent and reform if they are lacking or fall short. This is how their lives will be cleansed by letting God’s Word which “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” discern “the thoughts and intents of [their] heart” (Hebrews 4:12).

Young person, do you ask the same question as the Psalmist? Do you desire to “cleanse [your] way”? If you have truly accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and have become a new man in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), this should be your desire. Therefore, turn to God’s Word everyday. As you do your daily Quiet Time, pray that God will use His Word to cleanse your heart. Do not just read His Word superficially but meditate and think about how this portion of scripture requires you to respond by changing something in your life that may not be pleasing to Him. By doing this, you will be truly “taking heed” to how God’s Word is teaching you to cleanse your way.

Thought: What is wrong if you realise that you have no desire to cleanse your life?
Prayer: Lord, help me to take heed of Thy Word and examine my life in light of Thy Word. Give me the humility and discipline to change the aspects of my life that do not please Thee.