“My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth (Ps. 78:1, NIV).”
Last week, I was driving in my car listening to the radio. All of a sudden, the emergency broadcast system jarred my ears with the sound we are all familiar with. I am glad it interrupted my peaceful moment of singing because the alert concerned imminent weather ahead, producing golf size hail!
Although the dark clouds above indicated a storm was brewing, I wouldn’t have sought shelter or raced home if I hadn’t listened to the warning from the emergency broadcast system. This extra information saved me from potential danger.
The same is true with God’s word. He wants us to incline our ears to his teaching and make sure we listen carefully to the commands and precepts written in Scripture. He repeats this many times throughout history. He tells the prophet Isaiah:
“Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant–My loving devotion promised to David (Isaiah 55:3).”
He tells Moses after the giving of the Law and the Passover: “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him (Deut. 18:18).”
When Jesus walked the earth, He told his disciples: “I have not spoken on My own, but the Father who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to say it (John 12:49).”
Therefore, God makes it clear that we are to listen to his commandments so that we will avoid potential pitfalls in our lives. For His commands are good, right, and keeps us safe from danger. When we abide in Christ and heed to his instructions, we will not allow sin to enslave us.
My middle son is actually learning this verse himself. It is his memory verse for the week. I am so excited to see him grow in his relationship with God. By meditating on this verse, we are actually demonstrating it’s own power: hear God’s teaching and listen to his words. We do this through verse memorization!
It is my prayer and hope that you heed to God’s Word. It’s vital in the Christian life because faith comes by hearing. Romans 10:17 explains this: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
And it is faith that produces in us joy and confidence in the Lord so that we will be successful in the Christian life. Let’s pray for wisdom and guidance. Will you join me?
“Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you so much for creating this world. Thank you for being a marvelous God, slow to anger, bounding in lovingkindness. O Lord, impart upon us the wisdom and knowledge of your commandments. Produce in us a joy and love to obey your commandments. Holy Spirit, convict and teach us to heed to your Scriptures in order to safeguard us from the flesh, the devil, and the world. We give you all the praise, glory, and honor in Jesus’s mighty name. Amen!”
Devotional by Chad A. Damitz
Conform to Jesus 
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