Proverbs 4:20-23 says,...
Today's verses are Proverbs 4:20-23, which read,
v.20, 21 - My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart.
Give attention; incline; do not let depart; and keep are the commands given here. What do we give attention, incline, do not let depart and keep? The answer is God's words, the Bible, the wisdom given to us by God.
To give attention is to schedule a time to be in front of God's words. It is reading them over and over again with a pencil and pad of paper in hand. It is taking notes and underlining or circling things that stand out. To give attention is to study the Bible in a formal type of setting that puts you as the student before teacher God and His only text, the Bible.
To incline your ear is to put yourself in a place to hear the words of God. It is being a part of the teaching services of your church. It might also be listening to sermons online of trusted ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is putting His word on your listening devices.
To not let depart from your sight is to not just listen but to read. It is to follow along as the Word is being read. Many translations have been a great help in our time but also a huge hindrance when we get together and read the Word together. Maybe this is a noticing of how the electronic versions of the Bible on your phone can be an advantage as many times you can change it to the version that is being read. The point is to read and view the words on the pages. Allow the words to enter your mind through another avenue than just your ears.
To keep them in the midst of your heart is to meditate on God's Word. It starts to become memorized and able to recall at a later date. The word "heart" refers to your whole self. Your will, emotions, thinking, and reasoning are all included in the term "heart." So hiding God's Word in your heart is to keep them close to all aspects of your life because they are tied up in all of who you are.
v.22, 23 - For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
If I am going to watch over my life with all diligence then I am going to know God's Word. It is crucial to my well-being. This active activity, again not a passive one, of putting yourself in a place and an atmosphere to take in God's wisdom is commanded over and over again in these proverbs. With these commands come the results of life, health, and the springs of life. You will find out your true purpose for being here. You will find true fulfillment that feeds your mind, body, and soul. You will be constantly focused on Christ's gospel that provided you with forgiven sins, redemption, eternal life, and a heavenly home.
Oh how much wisdom is attached to the words of God is the proverb today. Have you read her today? Let's pray.
"Lord, what a document You have given us. We may have several copies and maybe even some electronically that we carry around with us. May Your Word not just be readily available to our lives but readily read by us. May we listen to it, read it, take notes on it, and meditate on it to have it at instant recall when we are not in physical possession of it. We can not thank You enough for this transmission of Your love and wisdom to us. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.20, 21 - My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your sight; keep them in the midst of your heart.
Give attention; incline; do not let depart; and keep are the commands given here. What do we give attention, incline, do not let depart and keep? The answer is God's words, the Bible, the wisdom given to us by God.
To give attention is to schedule a time to be in front of God's words. It is reading them over and over again with a pencil and pad of paper in hand. It is taking notes and underlining or circling things that stand out. To give attention is to study the Bible in a formal type of setting that puts you as the student before teacher God and His only text, the Bible.
To incline your ear is to put yourself in a place to hear the words of God. It is being a part of the teaching services of your church. It might also be listening to sermons online of trusted ministers of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is putting His word on your listening devices.
To not let depart from your sight is to not just listen but to read. It is to follow along as the Word is being read. Many translations have been a great help in our time but also a huge hindrance when we get together and read the Word together. Maybe this is a noticing of how the electronic versions of the Bible on your phone can be an advantage as many times you can change it to the version that is being read. The point is to read and view the words on the pages. Allow the words to enter your mind through another avenue than just your ears.
To keep them in the midst of your heart is to meditate on God's Word. It starts to become memorized and able to recall at a later date. The word "heart" refers to your whole self. Your will, emotions, thinking, and reasoning are all included in the term "heart." So hiding God's Word in your heart is to keep them close to all aspects of your life because they are tied up in all of who you are.
v.22, 23 - For they are life to those who find them and health to all their body. Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.
If I am going to watch over my life with all diligence then I am going to know God's Word. It is crucial to my well-being. This active activity, again not a passive one, of putting yourself in a place and an atmosphere to take in God's wisdom is commanded over and over again in these proverbs. With these commands come the results of life, health, and the springs of life. You will find out your true purpose for being here. You will find true fulfillment that feeds your mind, body, and soul. You will be constantly focused on Christ's gospel that provided you with forgiven sins, redemption, eternal life, and a heavenly home.
Oh how much wisdom is attached to the words of God is the proverb today. Have you read her today? Let's pray.
"Lord, what a document You have given us. We may have several copies and maybe even some electronically that we carry around with us. May Your Word not just be readily available to our lives but readily read by us. May we listen to it, read it, take notes on it, and meditate on it to have it at instant recall when we are not in physical possession of it. We can not thank You enough for this transmission of Your love and wisdom to us. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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