Daily Bread

Fine Tuning the Heart

Word: Proverbs 2:1-2, 5-8

My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. 

Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.

Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.

For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.

He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.

Food for the soul:

- The New Living Translation version (NLT) says to 'tune your ears to wisdom'. I remember growing up, we had a portable battery-operated transistor radio which we used during brown outs because of a storm and we have to tune in to the news to update ourselves on what's happening and if the weather will get better tomorrow. The fine tuning in that radio occurs when you make sure the dial is exactly where it should be so the reception/signal is clear and you can hear the audio without any static. It helps us know what's going on while there's no power and to keep an ear out for the latest updates whether the electric companies have made progress on the restoration of any fallen power lines and people getting rescued from flooded areas. It connects us to the city where there is electricity and to others who can see the entire region. 

- The Bible, God's Word, is also like a transistor radio although it doesn't need any batteries to operate, it is readily available, compact/hand-held and easy to use. It helps us to 'tune in' to His instructions daily, anytime and anywhere. It guides, corrects, directs and keeps us up-to-date on what He wants us to do and what to focus on in our lives. To know God's Word meant to know His heart which also changes us from the inside out. May we listen intently and attentively to His voice so we can understand how to honor, revere and give Him the due respect He deserves.

- God's Word needs to be learned from and obeyed immediately. Listening to God's voice meant letting it sink deep and focusing on His instructions.

- God grants wisdom to those who listen and put a premium and value on His Word. If anyone wants wisdom, He should fine tune his heart and mind to humbly receive and accept God's direction with joy and gladness. Honest and faithful people will receive true wisdom and common sense as they seek the Lord's will. 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, as we set our spiritual ears and make our hearts aligned with what you are saying through your Word, thank you that you will protect and guard us. We choose to put integrity as a priority in our lives because we are confident you remain faithful to those who choose justice instead of partiality, and humility instead of pride. 

Please open our minds to your truth and set us free from the wrong mentality or mindset that have corrupted us from what we have taken in from this world. May your voice be louder above all the voices that we hear. Help us to choose to do what is right no matter how difficult it may seem knowing there is a reward for those who walk under your lordship and authority at all times. These we pray in Jesus name. Amen.