“How can a young man stay pure? 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” (Psalm 119:9-11).
My son is memorizing Psalm 119:9-11 for school. As we were reviewing it the other night, something struck me (courtesy of the Holy Spirit, I imagine). I told my son we often hear this verse saying, “How can a young man stay pure? By doing what the Bible says. […] I have memorized what the Bible says so I won’t sin.” Or something along those lines.
Then I asked my son who “the word” is another name for. He said, “Jesus!” I suggested Psalm 119:9-11 could be talking about Christ living in us: “How can a young man stay pure? By living according to Jesus in me. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from the commands written on my heart. I have hidden Jesus in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Reading the verse this way puts a whole different spin on it. Instead of this being a call to do what the letter of scripture says, it is a call to rely on Christ within. He is dead to sin and alive to God in us. He is the command written on our hearts. He is our rightness before God. He is our purity, and all else the psalmist longs for in these verses.
We too often read the Bible with old covenant eyes. Paul calls this reading with a veil over our hearts (2 Cor. 3:15-16). Lord, take the veil from our eyes. Show us the Son who fills your heart in a way our obedience never can!
The Voice of One 
I like this–great insight. You are giving your son a rock solid foundation, that will spare him much heartache!
Amen, I pray he knows Christ. No one can lay any other foundation (1 Cor. 3:11).
mrteague, your presence on my blog has been a great encouragement along my path, and I would like to thank you for your support by sending you a signed copy of my book, “Comfort in the Challenge” when I receive it; likely it will be late November or early December. I think by now you can know and trust that your address will not be shared or used for any other purpose than to send this blessing to you. If you feel comfortable and would like to receive the book, please send your mailing address to wordscroll@gmail.com. The evidence of your strong commitment to the Lord and your family has been a blessing to me and I just want to take this time and opportunity to say thank you!
Lori O’Neil
Wow! Thank you, that is so generous! I will email you 🙂