HEARING, STUDYING AND DOING GOD’S WORD
Sunday, 11th September 2016
Deuteronomy 6: 3-9 (Trinity 16)
3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you—‘a land flowing with milk and honey.’
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!
5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10: 17). The people of Israel were enjoined in v.4 to hear the pronouncement that the Lord our God is one Lord, and should be loved with unreserved and whole-hearted commitment. We are also enjoined in v. 16 to memorize the Word of God, apply it in our daily lives, and teach it to our children and younger generation. Knowledge is power; and from today’s passage, it is obvious that God really wants us to study and know His Word, and use it daily. When we know God’s word, we cannot be cheated, intimidated or deceived by Satan or enemies of righteousness. When Satan tempted Jesus Christ in Matt. 4, all the answers Jesus gave to him were quotations from the Word of God. This shows that Jesus memorized the Word of God and defeated Satan with it.
When we know and apply God’s Word in our lives, it builds up our faith and enables us to be victorious over Satan and his schemes. In spite of the clear instruction to study the Word and teach our children to do the same, some Christians who don’t study the Bible from day to day. They prefer to watch films and play music. No amount of films watched can take the place of studying the Word of God. On most occasions, it is Satan that suggests to us not to study God’s Word. 2 Timothy 2:15 enjoins us to study the Word of God so as to be approved by God. If you want to live a holy, pure, perfect and overcoming life, make sure that from today you study the Word of God regularly and consciously apply it in your daily living.
Prayer: Lord help me to study and hide Your Word in my heart so that I do not sin against You.