You are to them as a very lovely song . . . they hear your words, but they do not do them. —Ezekiel 33:32
Ezekiel 33:30-33 (New International Version)
30 "As for you, son of man, your countrymen are talking together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, saying to each other, 'Come and hear the message that has come from the LORD.' 31 My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. 32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice.
33 "When all this comes true—and it surely will—then they will know that a prophet has been among them."
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Each year, one of my goals is to read the entire Bible. While listing it among my New Year’s resolutions, I noticed a bookmark on my desk. On one side was a brief appeal for people to take in foster children. On the other side were these words referring to that appeal: “Don’t read it. Live it. Real children. Real stories. Real life.” The people who produced the bookmark knew how easily we absorb information without acting on it. They wanted people to respond.
Regular intake of God’s Word is a worthy practice, but it’s not an end in itself. The prophet Ezekiel spoke to an audience who loved to listen but refused to act. The Lord said to Ezekiel: “Indeed you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they do not do them” (33:32).
Jesus said: “Whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock” (Matt. 7:24).
How will each of us read the Bible this year? Will we read it quickly to achieve the goal of getting through it? Or will we read it with the aim of doing what it says?
Don’t just read it. Live it! — David C. McCasland
The Bible gives us all we need
To live our lives for God each day;
But it won’t help if we don’t read
Then follow what its pages say. —Sper
The value of the Bible consists not only in knowing it but obeying it.
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Food for thoughts...
Reading God's word is like a daily fuel for us. Like how we pump fuel into the car in order for it to be able to move, we too need fuel to go in life. After refueling we still need to start the engine and let the fuel burn in order for the car to move. If we leave the car aside after refueling, the car wouldn't move, the battery will just eventually die off. The fuel will slowly evaporate bit by bit. This is because car has been left aside or being abandon.
This also applies to our daily life. If we just read God's Word without living it, we are just pumping the fuel we need but not using it. Eventually, we'll just get too tired or busy with our daily problems, slowly but surely we will be discourage to move on in life. His word will just evaporate from our mind as all the daily worries cloud our thoughts. Therefore, it is important that we apply what we have learnt through His word so that we will be recharged each day. So that we'll have brand new strength and courage from God to walk through each day according to His will. If we apply His Word in our life, we have this fire burning within us giving us the motivation to move on when time goes bad. Besides that, we are able to share this warmth with those around us who are in need.
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