Our Thoughts by M. E. McKee

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 4, 1873

Our Thoughts.

By M. E. McKee

How little do we realize that they are all known and read. Even as the pages of an open book are free to the inspection of all, so the imagination of the heart and every secret thought are plainly visible to the eyes of Him “who sitteth in the heavens and looketh down and beholdeth the hearts of the children of men.” And do we ever think what a strange mixture is there to behold? Some good thoughts, many vain thoughts, idle, foolish, unprofitable thoughts, what an array of these! Can we bear to look calmly at them and remember that the great God of Heaven, who desireth truth in the inward parts, is taking note of all that comes crowding into the mind, and is cherished there?

We may not prevent the intrusion of forbidden thoughts; but, by the grace of God, we may cast them aside and give no place to them. But surely, those who have tried, find this no easy task; it is one requiring perseverance and constant watchfulness and prayer. How prone are we to desire more to appear right before others than to really be pure before God. The old, carnal nature will rise and try to assert its power. Yet there is consolation in the thought that our kind Heavenly Father will not laugh at our follies, nor scorn our efforts to get free from every besetting sin. Unlike a human being, his tender compassion pities our weakness, and a struggling soul will not be left alone with the burden of unholy thoughts, for quickly will ministering angels be sent to his relief. It is blessed to realize this on the Sabbath day, when the business of the week comes crowding into the mind. With Paul, we may say, ‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing, that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Cor. 10:5.

What a promise is this! The weapons of the Christian, mighty to accomplish that which the world calls impossible—the controlling of the thoughts! Then take courage, children of toil, perplexity, and trial, whose brains are sometimes wild with anxiety and care, remember the remedy for distracting thoughts.

The psalmist David seems to have found the key to this great attainment, and the 119th Psalm furnishes some proof of it, as, “Oh! how love I thy law; it is my meditation all the day. “Thy testimonies are my meditation.” “I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love.” “I will meditate in thy statutes.” “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.” “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Verses 97, 99, 113, 48, 59, also verses 15, 16, 20, 23, and many others.

From this we may infer that those who make the word of God their counsel, and hide its precepts deep in the heart, shall have their meditation sweet and in accordance with that in which they delight.

May this be our prayer: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Ps. 139: 23, 24.

M. E. McKEE.