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Reading: Psalm 119:9-16
ב Beth
How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
By living according to your word.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, LORD;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word (NIV).*
Misty morning sunrise — Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz
Reflection
In the age of the internet and one-click-away pornographic websites, the opening question in today’s reading from Psalm 119 has never been more salient. How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
Why would a young man want to keep his way pure? Why not chase every skirt in town? Why not have some fun? Why not eat, drink and be merry? We only pass through this life once. Why not live it up?
But if the God of the universe has called men and women into relationship with Him, then purity and holiness are at the very core of that relationship. If we are called to be with God—to dwell in harmony with Him—then we must embrace holiness. To embrace God is to embrace holiness. Those filthy sin spots have got to go. If we are to walk with God, we must willingly walk away from mind and soul-fouling sin.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews urges on the young faith runners with these words: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2, NIV).
In a world awash in pornography, we all need fixed eyes—eyes fixed on Jesus—eyes that see the cross— eyes that see the blood-drenched cross. Purity comes at a price. It cost the heavenly Father the life of His very own Son. A young man named Jesus—in flesh like my own—in skin like my own—poured out his life’s blood to make me pure. Fix your eyes on Him!
Response: LORD, I want to live my life according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Amen.
Your Turn: Do you struggle with impure thoughts? Are you neglecting God’s word? How can we overcome?
* NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, COPYRIGHT ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 BY BIBLICA
![BGBG_v4.3_150[1818]](https://davidkitz.files.wordpress.com/2021/07/bgbg_v4.3_1501818.jpg?w=529)
Please pray for the people of Ukraine!
Volume I of Psalms 365: Develop a Life of Worship and Prayer won the Best Book of the Year Award from The Word Guild and for those who love God’s word, it’s an ideal way to daily meet with the Lord. For a closer look at Volumes II and III click here.
I love the Psalms 
Each time, I let my guard down, the devil is there to fill my idle mind with impure thoughts. Impure thoughts are not limited to sexual and sensuous things, they can be jealousy, covetousness, and rebellious. among others. “14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [h]strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 NKJV
It begins with our thoughts. Psalm 19:14 is a great reminder. Thanks, Wally.
Great words of truth for all of us, but especially appropriate for our young people going to college and away from the safety of their Christian homes. I pray for my granddaughter as she enters her second year. I pray for my grandson, who will return from a four-year teaching gig in S. Korea and my younger grandson is now a college graduate in the work force. They have been grounded in ?God’s Word, but, as you say, temptation is so readily available to them. I also pray for our leaders, clergy and parents as they often struggle to do away with the evil that penetrates all areas of our lives. Thank you for another great post.
Thanks, Kathy. Yes, we need to pray for our young people. Never has temptation been so readily available.