Pay Attention

October 4

(Psalm 119:12-16 NIV) “Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees. {13} With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. {14} I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. {15} I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. {16} I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.”

(Matthew 22:29 NIV) ““Jesus replied, “You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.””

(2 Peter 1:19 NIV) “And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.”

The word “neglect” implies a careless oversight or gross lack of attention to important detail. When we neglect something, we fail to give it the level of care and attention it deserves or requires. In many situations, the negligence is intentional or willful and we are held accountable for the negative results. So it is with God and His word. When we neglect God’s word as an individual or a culture, we do so at our own risk. We become prone to error when we habitually ignore the word of God. Our world grows darker when its light is covered up or snuffed out. This is why we must continually teach its decrees, recount its laws, follow its statutes, and meditate on its precepts. Scripture is a gift from God. We will do well to pay attention to it. Delight in it. Immerse yourself in it, for neglecting it is nothing less than “high risk behavior”. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day