As a seven-year-old little girl, I stood on the back porch of our blue double-wide trailer. Six steps were between me and the ground. As I stood there, I recalled when my parents had said to me and my sister several times, “Don’t jump!” This time my parents were not watching, and no one else was around. I decided without hesitation to take a leap. I jumped, missing all of the stairs in between as planned, but I had forgotten all about the small tree stump on the ground in front of the stairs. As I landed, my left foot landed on the ground, but my right foot landed on that tree stump. Suddenly, those words seemed to echo from my memories—“Don’t jump!” I had hurt myself, and I knew I was in trouble. I cried out in pain as tears rolled down my face. Quick to respond, my mom came out to find me lying on the ground. She never said, “I told you so,” but I have a feeling that she thought about it. After a trip to the hospital and a few x-rays, we discovered that I had broken my ankle. When I decided to jump down the stairs instead of following instruction, trouble came my way.
As Christians, we have God’s instructions on how we must live our lives. Just as my parents were there to give me wise guidelines, God’s Word is available to us and is full of upright directions for living. Hearing the pastor preach every week is another way we can get good advice. We might hear some things repeatedly, just as I frequently had heard my parents tell me, “Don’t jump!” However, we need to hear God’s instructions often. God cares for us through the wisdom of His Word.
God even reminds us in His Word how important it is for us to live the truths found on its pages. We glean godly understanding in our own walk with God as we read and study the Bible. The Bible says in II Timothy 2:15, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. If we never study His Word, how will we know what to do in our lives? Proverbs 10:17 says, He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth. Proverbs 4:1, 4 says, Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. We have a God Who is willing to teach us and show us instruction. Mark 4:24 says, And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear:… Luke 8:18 says, Take heed therefore how ye hear:… These verses remind us to pay attention to how we hear as well as to what we hear. Proverbs 2:1-2, 5 says, My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
As we learn from God’s Word and receive His instructions, we often will find ourselves with a choice to make. Are we going to heed His Word? Will we jump when we are not supposed to jump, or will we listen to and heed His instructions so that we may remain safe and secure in His care?
by Mandy Harper
