18 You shall therefore lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

— Deuteronomy 11:18-19

The law of his God is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

— Psalm 37:31

20 My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.

21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.

–Proverbs 4:20-21

105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

129 Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them

165 Great peace have those who love Your law; nothing can make them stumble

— Psalm 119:105, 129, 165

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

God’s Word did not grow deep roots in Ezra’s heart by chance. Ezra recognized the importance of God’s laws. He spent time and effort to know God’s Word deeply and teach it to others. Ezra is a good example for us while seeking to deepen our knowledge of God’s Word in a world full of competing loyalties. We know spiritual disciplines reap life-altering results. A daily habit of studying God’s Word or commitment to memorizing Scripture does far more than fill our minds with words and facts.

God molds our hearts to His when we dedicate ourselves to knowing the Scriptures. God’s Spirit unlocks His truth to transform our hearts and lives. Ezra sought to restore the worship of God’s people because he bowed before the LORD God. In the same way, God will direct our hearts and realign our life goals as we surrender our thoughts to His. Studying Bible is not an obligatory task; instead, it is a privilege and delight. God will reward our diligent study of His Word with revealing more of His heart and good pleasure to us.