God' s Word

Too often we think of the Word of God as only a book of devotion or a handbook of religious doctrine.  The Word is not something we just passively receive from God. It is a living book and its wisdom can be applied to everything in life.  Proverbs 4:20-23 really lays this out:

20 My son, attend (action) to my words; incline (action) thine ear unto my sayings.21 Let them not depart (action) from thine eyes; keep (action -shamar) them in the midst of thine heart.22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.23 Keep (action-natsar) thy heart with all diligence (mismar - confinement); for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:20-23

The word 'attend' in this verse involves inclining one's ear toward something. We should not just look at the Word as something to assimilate; it just doesn't drift into our brain cells. We are actively involved.  The next word of action, 'incline', sounds the same as 'attend' by definition.  In Hebrew (luz) it means to bend. Again we are called upon to move by leaning toward and bending.  Next we are not to let God's word 'depart' (turn aside). We hear, move toward and do not turn away from the wisdom of God.

The other three words in red refer to protecting what we learn.  'Shamar' is a verb which means preserve or watch over. 'Natsar' is similar and refers to 'guarding' the heart in verse 23. 'Mismar' is a noun connected with the verb 'shamar'. We keep our hearts with confinement regarding what we learn from God.

There is so much in these verses that emphasize the importance of keeping the word around, over, among and safe within us. It is not too hard to figure out why God impresses  us with this if we look at all that is around us, bombarding us everyday. God's promises are real and they are to remembered actively so as not to be drawn into the drama and shadows that so pervade our world. Evil can only function where God is not allowed. Where God is there is love:

~faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6b         

It really is that simple. We don't have to quarantine from life or hide under a rock, because we can turn to God and seek his wisdom about anything and get real answers. So many times when I enter the pages of the Word and revel in its life-quickening atmosphere. Whatever has been bothering me just evaporates away and when I leave I feel energized and renewed. The negative world just melts down and drains off and that is a great thing!