Pay Attention

Saturday August 17

Read Proverbs 17

Hear my children the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding....Proverbs 4:1

All through Proverbs there is a plea for the child, young adult, and generally anyone who reads this essay of wisdom to pay attention--as in the following verses. 

     Proverbs 4:20...give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 

     Proverbs 5:1...pay attention to my wisdom...

     Proverbs 7:24...pay attention to the words of my mouth.....

Jesus was attentive to His Father--devoting Himself to prayer. In prayer we talk to God--and we LISTEN to Him. We don't have a record of all the prayers that Jesus prayed--but we do have His example in The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. 

     Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.  This same passage is in Luke 11.

By listening to God--reading His Word systematically--we will "hear" His voice. Consider the direction given in Psalm 46:10...Be still and know that I am God.... Find some time in your day to be quiet and listen, consider what the Lord is trying to tell you--about Himself, His love for you, and what He wants you to do. 

Psalm 15:23 says: A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!

Take delight in God's Word. Hear His instructions.

Training Tip:  Make up and play a short game of "Can You Hear Me Now?" with your family. Have them cover their ears and then give them instructions like "hold up three fingers" or "walk like an elephant".  Then discuss the importance of "LISTENING" -- paying close attention with your ears uncovered!

Prayer - Lord help us to hear Your voice, to listen and to obey. 

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.

© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.