[Pro 4:20-22 ESV] 20 My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
How important is Scripture to you? Does it hold a place of value in the day to day movement of your life? Would your life be drastically different if you never read another verse, or never heard another teaching? If you suddenly decided the Bible is irrelevent, what would you base your belief system on?
I’m asking these questions because the foundation of our faith is based upon what God says about Himself in the Bible. Without it, we have no sense of direction. With it, we have a keen sense of awareness. The Psalmist confirms, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” [Psa 119:105 ESV]
The writer of Proverbs gives wise counsel concerning our interaction with Scripture. He offers the following four suggestions:
- Give it your full attention. Wrap your mind around its concepts. Explore the details. (Matthew 5:18 ESV) 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
- Hear it audibly. The sense of hearing identifies details more closely. Inflections of the voice can help determine the intensity with which the word is delivered. Faith is caught by the hearing of God’s word. (Romans 10:17 ESV) 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
- Read it for yourself. One of the many ways that we learn is by visualization. The writer warns that we should not let the written word of God escape our view. Find ways to view it. Place sticky notes around your house. Purchase decorative items for your house or office that remind us of Scripture. Put Scripture backgrounds on your phone or computer screen as a constant reminder.
- Memorize it. Let it become second nature by adding it to your routines. Don’t say you cannot do it. Can you remember what channel your favorite TV show is on? Do you remember where you placed your car keys last night? How about your favorite casserole dish? Do you know where it is stored when not in use? Of course you do! And if you can remember these details, you certainly can train your mind to receive and compartmentalize various passages of Scripture.
You may be wondering why this is so important. The writer of Proverbs tells us why, “For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.” That seems pretty important to me!
PRAYER: Thank You Lord for Your word! It inspires me daily while providing direction through the necessary movements of life. I am able to discern Your will from it. It protects me! It brings hope to hopeless situations. I delight in Your words… Amen.
Thinking Out Loud 