Listen

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Psalm 1:4-6

Think

This psalm reminds me of the story in Matthew 7 about the wise man building his house on the rock, that I learned as a child. The foolish man built his house on sand and the rain washed it away. Those who build their lives on the word of God have a firm foundation. Those who do not follow God’s law are, as the psalmist says, like “dust that the wind blows away.” They have no foundation, no truth for life.

We have read in John’s gospel this week that Christ – God’s word made flesh – brought us the truth. God’s word is trustworthy, produces fruit, and brings guidance. What will we do with it?

The writings of James offer some guidance: “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.” (James 1:23-25)

Kimberly McLeod

Pray

Dear God, let me be a doer of your word. Place in me a desire to seek your truth, apply it, and follow you. Open my eyes to see more and more the power of your word. Give me boldness to live it out and share it with others. Amen.

Go

Look for God revealing the truths of the word to you, in your day-to-day life, in your friends, in your family.

Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to the power of the word.

Spend time in Scripture seeking to receive, understand, and believe the word.