Somewhere in his childhood, my husband memorized the classic poem Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll. We were watching a movie last week when someone started to recite it incorrectly and out from the depths of my husband’s soul came the correct version of this nonsensical poem from Carroll’s novel Through the Looking Glass.

“Twas brillig, and the slimy doves/Did gyre and simple in the wabe …” It was impressive to see how something buried deep within his mind could immediately come forth when needed. I have often stood before a congregation or sat in a church meeting and wished I could recite long pieces of Scripture from memory, but alas, I do not have that gift. How about you? Have you worked to memorize Scripture? One of the commentators of the original Disciple Bible Study once said that the only Bible you actually own is the one you can access in a foxhole: In other words, the one in your mind and memory.

David’s beautiful psalm today is a reminder of the importance of keeping God’s Word and God’s will deep within our psyche. He lays out the argument that God really isn’t interested in our animal sacrifices or thoughtless offerings, but rather God desires our obedience and trust.

Psalm 40 (Common English Bible)
You, Lord my God!
    You’ve done so many things—
    your wonderful deeds and your plans for us—
        no one can compare with you!
    If I were to proclaim and talk about all of them,
        they would be too numerous to count!
⁶ You don’t relish sacrifices or offerings;
    you don’t require entirely burned offerings or compensation offerings—
    but you have given me ears!

I think that in order to be obedient to God and to do his will requires a certain amount of studying, meditating, and then acting on his instruction. For that to happen, God’s instruction must be deep within us.
⁷ So I said, “Here I come!
    I’m inscribed in the written scroll.
⁸     I want to do your will, my God.
    Your Instruction is deep within me.”
⁹ I’ve told the good news of your righteousness
    in the great assembly.
    I didn’t hold anything back—
        as you well know, Lord!

David reminds us that a wholly sold out response to God is what God desires. Holding nothing back, we are invited to not only do God’s will but tell others about his faithfulness and salvation.
¹⁰ I didn’t keep your righteousness only to myself.
    I declared your faithfulness and your salvation.
I didn’t hide your loyal love and trustworthiness
    from the great assembly.

I am glad that you are reading Scripture with me in these devotionals and pray that you internalize God’s messages here and through your regular Bible study and worship habits. You never know when you might be called upon to jabberwocky some Scripture in the assembly!

Peace Deep Within