Listen Always--Proverbs 19:27

Proverbs 19:27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Have you ever noticed that the mind is never still? When once the language of words has been learned, words never cease. The mind will be filled with thoughts; there is no way around this.

This proverb is as sure as night follows day--either the mind will be filled with instruction, or the mind will be filled with evil.

The Septuagint Bible brings out the meaning more strongly than other versions. It says--

A son who ceases to attend to the instruction of a father will cherish evil designs.

It's one or the other, good or evil, day or night. There is no middle ground, no period of probation. There will be growth or decay.

This proverb teaches that our faith is not static, but alive. Faith needs a daily feeding from the word of God, just as the Israelites in the desert needed their manna fresh daily.

As faith travels the oceans of our lives, it must constantly listen for the radar signal of God's word. Once those signals stop, drifting off-course will follow. Were a blind person to let go of the guide dog, his steps would soon wander. A flashlight in the dark is useful only as long as the beam is lit.

A trail through the forest must be marked frequently with signs, or the hikers will get lost. A ship must keep the lighthouse beam in constant view, or it may be drawn towards the rocks. A sports team must heed the coach throughout the game, not just once at the beginning. The orchestra must follow the conductor for the whole score, not just the opening bars.

A soldier must keep the metal detector always turned on, not for just the first few steps across a mined field. One bite of food does not nourish for a lifetime. One glass of water does not quench thirst for a year. Crops won't grow with just one day of sunshine.

It is nature's way to remind us that faith must be fed; God's instructions must be heard and obeyed--constantly, daily, or evil will certainly follow as our feet stray and wander off the righteous path into the unclaimed zones. Either we are on the boat, or in the water; on the bridge, or in the stream; in God's word, or listening to evil.

God's enemies are never silent. When we turn our ears from God's words, their words will very soon begin to fill the void.

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Heavenly Father, Thank-You for Your word which You haven so richly given to nourish, strengthen, guide, instruct, and protect us. Thank-You for Your signposts along the way. Thank-You for Your hand that pushes and leads us back when we get off-track. Thank-You for Your love which will bring us home. Thank-You for Your Son, our Lord Jesus. In His name, Amen.