-January 4, 2022-
Good morning, happy Wednesday,
“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
(James 1:21-22).
The picture that James sets before us is that of the implanted word. This is the only time it is found in the Bible. The definition of the word implant is, “To put an organ, group of cells, or device into the body in a medical operation; to plant firmly or deeply in the mind; instill; inculcate.” There are many types of implants: dental implants, heart implants, in vitro fertilization implants, and pacemaker implants. I have a special defibrillator pacemaker which is implanted under my skin near my heart that regulates my heart rate.
The best implant anyone can have is the Word of God implanted in the heart. It is so important to treasure God’s word in our hearts by reading it, studying it, meditating on it, memorizing it, and especially obeying it and applying it to our lives. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” My pacemaker is there to remind me of how it helps me. I can feel it, though it works in me on the inside. So too, God’s Word implanted in our hearts reminds us of God’s truth in our lives. His commands, promises, and principles keep us on the right path for Jesus.
Yesterday, we considered how important prayer is to us on a daily basis. Today, we are thinking about how vital the Word of God is to us. It is our daily bread, our spiritual nutrition, our inspiration, and our guidance. Just as we would never go without food, so neither can we do without the Word of God. In the wilderness, God provided the Israelites manna from heaven. It provided them all the nutrients that they needed. Jesus said in The Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).
May the Lord help us to dedicate ourselves to the Word of God on a daily basis this year and always. It will change our lives. Let us be doers of the Word, not merely hearers of it. Stay safe and healthy.
Continuing in the Scriptures daily,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 