Verse of the Day 3/16
20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
Listen carefully to my words.21 Don't lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart,22 for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.I've heard it said by many Bible commentators that the book of James can be considered as the Proverbs of the New Testament for it's practical principles and applications. In yesterday's post we considered how James calls us to be "doers of the word and not hearers only'. This means we are to take it in, take it to heart and apply it.
For today's verses we go back to the Old Testament book of Proverbs that gives us similar advice. Note what the passage says, "pay attention", don't just skim through it like a check list of something to do; "listen carefully", spend some time to understand what you have just read and heard; "don't lose sight", keep God's Word before you daily, keep it in you mind and in your heart; "let them penetrate deep", let God's Word permeate you, your thoughts and actions; for .. they will bring life and healing to our bodies and help to restore our soul (Psalm 23).
Charles Stanley writes, "knowledge comes from hearing Biblical prinicples; wisdom has to do with applying them. The Lord cautions us to keep His Word in our heart and in our heads so that we will heed His instructions."
Paul echos that sentiment when he writes in Colosians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs."
I'll close with an old hymn that came to mind as I just read that verse:
1 May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By his love and pow'r controlling
All I do and say.
2 May the word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through his pow'r.
Blessings,
Mike
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
20 My son, give attention to my words;
Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;
Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them,
And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.
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