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By Guarding It

 The anonymous writer of Psalm 119 asked and answered this question in v.9: “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word.”

 

Guarding does not mean haphazardly. Think about a soldier on guard duty; he must be vigilant or else many people can suffer. The King James Version renders this verse as, “By taking heed” according to God’s Word. Guarding, or taking heed, is a thoughtful, intentional process. 

 

It is kind of like following a map. These days I rely on my GPS, but there was a time when we had to unfold a paper map and plot out our course like we were Louis and Clark. I hate getting lost, so I used to make sure I had solid directions before I went somewhere for the first time. One time I had to go into Fort Worth, and I wrote down each step for the journey, but I had an old map. Roads had been updated, but the map didn’t reflect it. I learned that no matter how carefully I followed the map, the wrong map will not get me where I need to go.

 

We need the right map. God’s Word is that map for life. But we must take heed—or guard our lives by it. I can get a brand new map, but if I don’t pay it much attention, I will get lost just as easily as when using the wrong map.

 

Following the wrong map carefully, and

Following the right map carelessly will get us lost. 

 

Do you want to keep your way pure? You must carefully follow the right map. You must be built on the Bible, using God’s Word as the solid foundation upon which your life is built. Following the wisdom of the world will take you down a path you do not want to go down, so please guard your life according to God’s Word.

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