FAITH CAPSULE: Are you taking to God’s word of direction in the Bible into heart?
1Samuel 15
Word of God which speaks to one speaks to all that will give heed to keep one living life for God’s glory. God spoke to the Israelites, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26) Heeding to keep the word of God belongs to heart. Command in Deuteronomy 6:6 is repeated in many pages of the Bible stating, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.”
Heart is important for keeping man in right position for God’s glory and that is the reason why Proverbs 4:23 speaks to all man, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” One of the reasons to heed and keep the word in the heart is as key for direction.
Word of God is the key for direction: Guided direction is in the word of God that teaches in the way which leads to expected end of journey. Psalm 27:11 pointed out, “Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.” Psalm 32:8 testified instruction of direction, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.” With deliverance of the Israelites from bondage of four hundred years in Egypt, God gave the word of direction to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land. Exodus 13:17-18 recorded the direction of the word of God, “Then it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by way of the wilderness of the Red Sea. And the children of Israel went up in orderly ranks out of the land of Egypt.” Are you taking to God’s word of direction in the Bible into heart? King Saul despised the word of God in his heart and was destroyed. How? God sent Samuel to tell Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. Now therefore, heed the voice of the words of the Lord. Thus, says the Lord of hosts: ‘I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’” (1Samuel 15:1-3) Saul did not heed the words of God as instructed in his heart; and as a result, God rejected him. (1 Samuel 15:10-35)
Prayer for today: Ask for a hearing ear to give self to God’s command.