Day 47 – 90 Days in Proverbs - Never refused

Proverbs 8:33 [KJV] Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.

We are studying the word of God right now, sisters. We seek His instruction. That’s why we are here. So, it is difficult to imagine that you or I would be the type of people who would flat out refuse the instructions of God. Even when we read or hear hard things, we seek to understand and accept – we welcome knowing God’s will and word more deeply.

However, the English Standard Version chooses to put it like this: Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.

The Hebrew word translated “refuse” and “neglect” can mean let it go. Hear the word and don’t let it go. Not only should we not outright refuse the instructions of the Bible; not only should we be careful not to neglect it (maybe letting days go by without Bible study); but we should also be actively doing all we can to hold onto it – to keep it at the forefront of our minds as we go through the days, struggles and joys of life. It can be easy to forget God’s guidance in a moment that is fraught with fear, pain or anger.

James 1:23-25 holds the key to how we can hold onto the instructions of God’s word. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues [in it], and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. [NKJV]

The key to holding onto God’s instruction is doing what the word instructs us to do. Our Father God doesn’t just want us to have knowledge of His word, His instructions for our lives. He wants us to live them.

Sisters, we are not called to academic knowledge of the scripture. We are called to put into action what the word teaches us. We are called to be involved – to live it.

I’m the kind of person who learns better by doing something. Just reading about something does not stick with me very well. Actually doing something is what sticks with me, whether it is making the craft item, baking cookies, or performing that tricky yoga stance.

Similarly, an instruction like “love your enemies” becomes ingrained in our minds when we actually do something good for someone who has positioned themselves as an enemy. You’ll never forget what it felt like to have the inner power to answer kindly when someone is ugly to you or to help someone who has previously done ill toward you. It is impactful. It makes an impression that is not easily forgotten.

The best way to prevent neglect of God’s word is to live it, sweet sisters. I pray that we all will be doers of the word so that that the word is never refused nor forgotten nor neglected in our lives.

Prayer — Father God, I am here with You and Your word, seeking to know it, understand it and learn from it. I want it to lead me, to change me and to help me live as Jesus did. Please help me by carving Your word into me – into my mind and heart. Bring it to mind for me so that it influences my every thought and deed. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Your thoughts —  

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