FAITH CAPSULE: Give earnest heed to the word of God.

Daniel 1

A failure to give earnest heed to the word of God will lead to taking a distance from God. 
Keeping distance from God is getting closer to the position of self-destruction.
Earnest implies having a purpose and being steadily and soberly eager to pursue it.
Heed means paying attention, listening to, and following the word. 
To give earnest heed is to be purposeful and give attention to the word of God.
The heart is where purpose takes place.
The heart is where listening takes place.
Be mindful that the heart is where God sees the doing of all under the heaven.
Hebrews 2:1-4 records the need to give heed to the word of God,
“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?”
Are you giving heed to the word of God?
One with earnest heed for God shall be purposeful for God.
Daniel Purposed in His heart.
Daniel was more earnest in heed for God, purposed in his heart to gain the favor of God.
Daniel 1:8-9 records: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore, he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs.” 
David had a heart after the heart of God. 
God will always locate any that earnestly heed His word.
The reaction of God to the violation of Saul testifies to the heart of David for God saying: “…I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.” (Acts 13:22)
There is no compromise, but with no excuse, all must give earnest heed to the word of God.
The word of God is not to convince anyone.
The word of God demands commitment from all.
Also, the word of God is not for decoration but for declaration. 
In life, the way of all declares the word carried by all.
All should come out from RELIGION in the mouth, but give heart to the word of God. A failure to give earnest heed to the word of God will lead to distance from God but closer to self-destruction.

Prayer for today: Ask to enable giving heed to the word of God.