In my heart I store up your words, so I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:11
I’ll admit it: I take way too many pictures. I currently have 64,000 pictures in my Photos app. And that’s really only from the past eight or so years. That’s an average of 670 photos per month.
I definitely take more photos when I travel or at certain events than I do on a daily basis. But I take more pictures at those times because I’m doing all I can to capture the moment. I want to be able to look back on those photos and remember how fun it was to be with my best friends, who I hadn’t seen in a year. I want to remember how impressive the scenery was when we reached the summit of our hike. I want to remember the way my nieces laughed at each other when they played peek-a-boo.
I’m trying to capture the moment so I can remember the joy I felt when I experienced it. I’m trying to relive and revive that joy every time I look back at those photos.
Even more powerful than the joy we experience from reliving memories is the joy that comes with knowing the truth of God’s character.
When we have captured the truth of God’s character in our hearts, we can have unending joy. When we reflect on who He is and what He has done, we gain confidence in His faithfulness. When we’ve become convinced that He is good, we view our suffering differently. When our hearts and minds are confident that He has good things planned for us, we live in hope.
This semester, we’re focusing on how we come to know and believe the truth of God’s character. First, we discovered the truth of God’s character by reading it. Then, we understood it and worked toward remembering it by writing it. This week, we’re going to focus on how we capture it so it can begin to change our hearts and lives.
Capturing the truth of God’s character means more than knowing it. It means we allow these truths to impact our daily lives. We’ve captured it so we can pull it out when we’re feeling disconnected, discouraged, afraid, anxious, lonely, or weak. Just like looking at old photos, we’ve captured can bring us joy, reflecting on the truth of God’s character will help us live in hope.
Isaiah 40 has given us incredible insight into God’s character. We see that God is a comforter, that He is just, that He is holy, that He is faithful, enduring, powerful, wise, everlasting, strong, and loving. We’ve read and written it; now, this week, let’s focus on capturing it.
Take time throughout your day to reflect on the truth of God’s character. What is one aspect of who He is that comforts you most in this season? Maybe it is His justice, His patience, or His love. Whatever it is, write yourself a reminder to remember this attribute of who He is. Stop and reflect on this truth when you feel frustrated, when you’re impatient, when you’re tired, when you’re disappointed and when you’re celebrating, joyful, and feeling fulfilled. Capture it in your heart the way you capture a memory, and let the Holy Spirit comfort you with His truth.
Your God loves you, cares for you, is faithful to you, and is for you. He has not designed a plan to harm you or cause you to suffer. He has good things planned for you. He wants you to rest in the hope He has given you, both for your eternal salvation and for endurance in your current circumstances. Capture His truth in your heart and let it transform you.