Thought for the Day

Verse 20 - "Attend to my words" simply means to pay attention to my words. We can hear the Word of God with our physical ears without paying attention to it. "Incline thine ear" (verse 20) means to listen with our "spiritual ears" or "ears of our hearts." Many times after speaking to a multitude, Jesus is recorded as saying, "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear" (for example, Mark 4:2-9). He knew that no one can hear what the Spirit is saying unless we have a proper heart attitude; willing to hear Him. That is why those who do not know Jesus cannot understand the Bible. They may agree it is a book of history or literature, but cannot spiritually understand it until they are converted.

To be converted, we must come to God in humility, accepting that we are sinners who are separated from Him. We must turn from sin and give our lives to Jesus. Until we acknowledge our sins and ask forgiveness for the cause of our guilt, we will never be free from it. It will eventually lead us right into hell. It is not God's will that any should perish, "but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was nailed to the cross by ungodly men for no sin of His own. He was innocent of wrong - the only Man who was perfect and sinless. He willingly took our sins by accepting a death that He did not deserve. He was raised from the dead by His Father and given life and authority over the powers of darkness. God now imparts that same life and authority to all who will come to Him and receive His provision for their sin, for "...the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

Verse 21 - We should not only read God's Word diligently, but hide it in our hearts. If we desire to grow in faith and wisdom and be pleasing to God, we must apply His Word to everything in life.

Verse 22 - If we apply His Word, we will experience true life. That life is not just a spiritual encounter, although spiritual rebirth is a glorious experience. By applying God's Word, we can also have physical health. The Lord wants to make us whole in spirit, soul, and body!