Is God in All Our Thoughts?

by Tiffany S.
​from Virtuous Daughters, January 2009~Volume 8, Number 10

​​When I was in 11th grade, my favorite subject was American history. And while my tests quizzed dates, names, and places, they also required that I memorize certain passages of Scripture that remind us to be in subjection to our authorities. One night I was especially anxious about a quiz scheduled for the next day. I had to write from memory a large portion from the Bible and I had not studied enough. After climbing into bed, I read the chapter several times. Then I said to my sister,

"Brittany, please ‘quiz’ me over this passage. I need to make sure I know it before tomorrow!” She listened as I stumbled through the recitation.

The next morning Brittany was practically laughing as we greeted each other. “You were sleep talking again,” she told me.

“What was I saying?” I asked. (This is my response every time she tells me I’ve been sleep talking.)

“You were trying to quote that passage you’re going to be quizzed on today!” We both had a good laugh, especially after I passed the quiz. 

​This amusing story brings me to a topic I have been thinking about quite a bit lately: keeping God in all our thoughts.

​Have you ever noticed that some Christians are so filled with the Spirit, that it flows through their life: their actions, their words, their letters, their countenance? I deeply desire such a testimony, and I know all of us girls do as we strive to be virtuous daughters.

Psalm 10 describes the wicked as “through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.” I am learning that one of the by-products of fearing God is keeping Him in all my thoughts. Psalm 19:14 offers the following challenge: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” There is so much insight in that single verse, and I would encourage you to dwell on it as you go about your work today.

​How do we keep God in all our thoughts? I believe one way is by soaking our minds in the Scriptures. If His Word is an integral part of our daily life, it will undoubtedly come out in our lives: our thoughts, our words, our countenances. Recently I came across the beautiful words of Psalm 35:28: “And my tongue shall speak of Thy righteousness and of Thy praise all the day long.” That should be our heart’s desire—to think about and speak about the unfailing mercies of our Savior!

One passage of Scripture that is special to me in a unique way is Malachi 3:16–18. One of my dear friends said to me as we were saying good bye for the week, “When you get home, read Malachi 3. There are some verses in it toward the end that I read this morning and they caused me to think of our friendship.” I’ll copy those verses for you here: “Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth Him not.”

Please understand that I am not trying to sound spiritual or that I have perfect friendships. I am learning these truths every day—and working hard to apply them to my life. But I have so much room for improvement. Truly, my righteousness is as filthy rags. How grateful I am that Christ has given me His robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10–11) and that He is the Justifier of those who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:26).

Yet these verses in Malachi have given me a real opportunity to keep God in my thoughts and in my words. God-fearing Christians have Him ever before them. They continually seek Him. Whatever we think about will come out through our mouth and actions. That is why it is so important that we are thinking about God and His Word.

Practically, how can we do this? I think it is helpful of course to read the Word of God every morning. In addition to this, my sister and I have found that reading just one or two verses before falling asleep is a refreshing way to close our day. Sharing special Scripture findings is a great way to build relationships on the Rock (Jesus Christ) with family and friends. My mom enjoys decorating our home with Scripture-filled plaques. Writing a few verses (or even just the reference) on envelopes or letters before mailing them out is a good habit to form. It takes only one or two minutes, yet God could use that act to change someone’s life. Like my sister has said, Scripture is the best thing we can share with other people, because “. . . The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)

Since the Bible is literally God-breathed, we can be sure that “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7) Also, Romans 10 tells us that “. . . Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” I think we can all agree in the wisdom on meditating on the Holy Scriptures.

So that brings me to the conclusion: let’s all work on keeping God in our thought life. We want to know God and love Him so much that His light is shining through our lives. When we are wearing the armor of God (Ephesians 6), we are much better prepared to fight the wiles of the devil. Part of using that armor is keeping God in all our thoughts. Let’s seek Him continually through prayer and the Word!