Proverbs 22:1-29
Friday, 8 July 2022
“Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,… That your trust may be in the LORD….” -Proverbs 22:17,19 [ESV]
The Book of Proverbs is replete with wise sayings and it would benefit us to glean those nuggets of wisdom for our daily lives. In the key verses, the writer exhorts his son to pay attention and apply those instructions he gives which would make him put his trust in the LORD!
God’s Word is the guideline for any Christian of any age. Failure to meditate and dwell in God’s word negatively impacts the application of the word. God expects us to pay attention, listen and apply our heart to His knowledge. Let’s now look through the steps of making God’s Word part of our daily lives:
The primary step is to Turn our focus:
Our attention is crowded by the things around us that we often lose our focus towards what’s more important. In order to align ourselves with what God wants, we have to make that effort to minimize the distractions around us and pay more attention to what God tell us. We have to learn not to let the noise of the world keep us from hearing the voice of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 7:35[NLT] says, “….I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.”
The next step is to Listen:
Once the distractions are eliminated the next step is to listen! When Jesus preached, many turned their focus to Him but only few decided to listen! He said, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!” (Matt.11:15 NLT). It is not just a simple hearing, but a hearing with a heart to understand what He is trying to speak. We must make a constant effort to continue to diligently listen and understand what God wants to speak to us through His word.
The final step is to Apply your heart:
As we continue to meditate in the word of God we need to learn to apply it in our daily lives. Application is the final step of every learning. Turning our focus and constantly feeding ourselves with the Word will eventually begin to impact our lives if we have a willingness to obey what it says. Hearing and learning convinces our hearts to apply the knowledge we received. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).
What is the outcome when we follow these steps?
This brings us joy! “…for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.” (Prov.22:18) When we learn the word of God we get to know more of His power and greatness! We will start to see things from God’s perspective and will not waiver but continue to rejoice in the Lord always no matter what the circumstance may be.
We will begin to trust in the Lord! (v19). When we understand who the Almighty God is, we continue to trust Him more. We begin to let go of the way we perceive/analyse thing and completely begin to trust in God. This is what God expects from each of us as it says in Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Prayer: Heavenly Father help me to focus, listen and apply Your knowledge in my life that I may constantly trust You. In Jesus name, Amen.
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