Proverbs 4:20-27 – “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.” NKJV
When I first became, a Christian I thought that life would be a bed of roses and all my troubles were behind me. I quickly found out that that bed of roses had thorns and my troubles, in many ways, had just begun. However, I also have learned that when we take God’s Word as our guide we find precepts and principles that elevate us into such a heavenly realm that is both attainable and applicable in our daily lives.
I have been told, “Be careful that you don’t become so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good.” I consider that a deception of hell and while I understand the idea that although we are citizens of another kingdom we still live in this world and must function here. God is not in the habit nor does he practice teaching lofty principles that are unattainable by every member of the family of God, the “born-again.” In fact, the Bible teaches that if we so saturate our lives with His Word and embrace His principles and precepts those truth and objectives are not a utopian dream but an attainable reality and part of the birthright and heritage of every Christian. GOD IS OUR FATHER and we are Heirs of God and Joint-Heirs with Jesus!
As I study Proverbs 4, I find some incredible Life Giving Instructions that are liberating and empowering. Principles that are attainable and applicable for daily living and available to every believer. I would like to briefly walk you through some of the things which I believe will enlighten and empower each of us in our earthly Christian walk.
He beings by commanding each person to GIVE ATTENTION, which is to attend to or do something. He is instructing those who listening and all who would come after to take the instructions contained in God’s Words and apply them to their lives. This involves hearing, understanding, and acting upon those principles and precepts. Then he says, INCLINE YOUR EAR or LISTEN. That is one area that virtually everyone falls short. We need to allow our understanding to be illuminated so that we are able to comprehend and respond to what is being taught and said. It is at that point we are able to be Doers of the Word not simply Hearers. Then he says, DO NOT LET THEM DEPART FROM YOUR EYES. How many of us keep the Word of God in the forefront of our minds all the time? If you can receive it, this is a Covenant Phrase. The reality is that we become what we constantly behold. It is imperative that we rehearse God’s Promises and Covenant in our hearts and minds at all times. In that condition, we are ready to respond at any time and all the time. Next, he says, KEEP THEM IN THE MIDST OF YOUR HEART. If I keep the Word of God before me, pay attention, incline my ear to hear and never let them depart from my eyes or my heart I will become so filled with God and His Spirit. It is in that condition that we will can and are truly SPIRIT LED rather than controlled by emotions or human reason. It is at that point that our words, deeds, and life becomes an extension of Christ Himself and when people see or hear us they see or hear Jesus.
The result of that kind of life produces a two-fold benefit as seen in Verse 22 – Life and Health. What an objective and goal! That is not a Utopian pipedream but a present reality that God wants each of us to enter into. How many of us would like to be more Christ-like in our daily demonstrations? How many of us would like to live in God’s Abundant Life and walk in His Divine Health? How many of us would like to have more power in our prayers and more anointing on our words? How many? MOST, I’M SURE. It is not only possible it is probable if we will follow the prescription offered by the writer of Proverbs 4.
God, bless you richly as you enjoy this wonderful day in Jesus!
Roy's Covenant Corner 