“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” —Psalm 119:11
When pondering this verse, I have always considered it to be a declaration. An admission or position for future events. Sure, it’s applicable for the present, but I always think future.
The psalmist has already pre-determined within himself that he will not sin. When the moment comes (not if), when the challenge, temptation, or situation arises (not if), the mind is already made up. A course of action is already settled.
My mind goes to the time the Lord tells Cain in Genesis to beware, because sin is crouching at your door. Interesting visual, isn’t it?
What does the writer of Psalm 119 do when presented with this information? He buries, hides, fills and protects his heart with God’s word.
He fortifies himself. He prepares.
A declaration is something powerful and personal.
It’s a statement.
A determination.
A belief.
A resolve.
A guiding force or principle.
An announcement.
An advertisement.
An assertion.
A broadcast.
A testimony.
There is a certain power that comes with telling yourself, or declaring something for your life. To speak it over your life.
I heard someone say once, “Stop listening to yourself and start telling yourself.” Meaning, stop listing to the negative or limiting voices on the inside, and turn it around. Because, as you know, those voices have sway. They bombard us if we let them. We can fill our minds with a steady stream of “it won’t happen and it can’t be done.” It’s like the constant, annoying noise of TV static being on 24/7. They dominate our thoughts, hold us captive, and restrict us from taking action. They kill our confidence.
So start telling yourself some positive affirmations. I can do this. I am worthy. I am talented. I am hopeful. I am going to go after this __________(fill in the blank). I am going to pursue the job that I want. I am going to forgive this person. I am going to get through this highly unpleasant situation.
I think you get the point. Not always easy, but it is a switch we must make. Stop listening, start telling.
Similarly, a declaration is like the starting point of changing your own mind, which in turn will shift your outlook, and determine your actions.
Declarations—I have some. I often take morning walks. Over the course of many years, It has been during these times that I have been able to hone in on specific prayers. As I examine my heart, bring clarity to my thoughts, and explore my inner world, I have discovered how some declarations rise to the surface.
One simple one is when I tell (or declare unto) God that I am going to walk with Him all the days of my life. I look back, and I go decade by decade, literally. I can recognize when I started purposefully walking with him in my teens. It was a conscious choice, taking my faith seriously as a young person. It continued into my 20s, 30s, and now my 40s. Then I tell God I will walk with Him in my 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond. Whatever amount of time I have, it’s settled.
The same idea could apply to my marriage. If you are in a marriage, imagine if you started declaring any of these things—whether in prayer, to your spouse, or with your actions:
– Our marriage will make it.
– We will weather the storms together.
– We are in it for the long haul. We are gonna stick it out.
– I will remain faithful to you.
– We are going to grow old together, and it will be a beautiful thing.
I do this. Try if it this is a new idea for you.
I’ve found with declarations, that it helps to visualize it for yourself. To imagine it.
Literally, see yourself walking with God…all the days of your life.
Literally, see your beautiful marriage growing into the future.
What declarations fill your life? What do you stand on? What do you live by? What will you commit to now, in preparation for the future?
The Bible is filled with declarations. One that I’ve always loved is Joshua 24:15—
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Also, I would add that declarations are different from manifesting. I see a declaration as more of a resolve. Something you will see though, come what may. I wonder how our lives might begin to change, if we started making bolder declarations, and then summoned the courage to live them out.