We know God is omnipresent and is always with us. As Believers, we know He will never leave or forsake us. He sees our coming in and our going out and knows all things. Nothing in the world is hidden from the Lord’s sight. Although we know these things, we still do things that are displeasing to Him. David said, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NIV). What can we do as Christians to ensure that the word of the Lord is as near to us as our hearts? 

As I was reading through Numbers and Mark today, I thought about the things that get our attention. I’d like to share some verses with you from Numbers and Mark that show two completely ways we can focus our attention.

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the Lord, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.

Numbers 15:38-39 (NIV)

The Israelites were to wear tassels on their clothes to remind themselves of the Lord’s commands. We do not have such tassels on our clothing, but we can have them in our hearts. There are myriad ways to insert the word of God into our being. When we are saved, we are changed and become a new creation (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:17). Without going through the process of salvation, any word from God we read and try to remember has no more weight than any other words or sayings because we lack the Spirit of God to understand and act how we ought to act as Children of God. However, with salvation, we have the Holy Spirit, and we have the mind of Christ that allows us to access, use, and take advantage of the saving grace that God gives to us. Without such things, we are slaves to sin and the destruction that comes from it. 

However, when we are saved and we read the word of God, it becomes a deposit in our hearts. The more we read God’s word and pray, the more we have God’s word in our hearts. This doesn’t mean, as some might think, that we have an amazing power of recall. That we can now quote the Bible. Many people can quote the Bible, yet the Spirit of God is not in them. No, when we read God’s word, we give the Holy Spirit the ability to access that which is inside us to bring it up when it is needed. Like the disciples who were told not to worry about what to say, we can walk confidently knowing the Spirit within us will help us too.

For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Matthew 10:20 (NIV)

What can we say if we do not read God’s word? The Holy Spirit already knows the word of God, but I believe he needs something to work with within us to bring it to our minds when it is needed. Therefore, if we don’t know God’s word, then how can we do what it says? How can we know how to live if we don’t know what it says? How can we lean on the word and seek refuge in it if we do not know what it says? Where is our confidence in God if we don’t know him? Without reading God’s word, he is little more than a stranger whom we trust to lead us and guide us. So, we need to read or listen to the Bible. Fortunately, there are many ways we can not only read God’s word but also listen to it. 

The Pharisees were a group of religious men who knew God’s word and yet lacked the Spirit of God. They knew every rule and regulation to follow. We can see evidence of this in Mark.

Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath.

Mark 3:2 (NIV)

Some people are always looking for the bad in others. It doesn’t matter how much good people are trying to do. There will always be “religious” people right there to criticize and condemn in the name of “truth.” The Pharisees cared more for their understanding of the Law than things like mercy and grace. Therefore, they were blind to the things Jesus did. Yes, they saw them, but they didn’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah they had been waiting for. The Pharisees are a good example of what we don’t want to be. 

When we find ourselves looking at the bad people do more than we look at the good, we need to check ourselves and remember we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We must ask God to show us what he sees in people and not what we see. It’s not that we condone the evil things done by others. We do not. However, we ought never to compare ourselves with others because, compared to Jesus, none of us measure up. We must be like the Father, extending love, mercy, and grace, for, without these things, we are nothing. 

Do you know God? God knows you, and He loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, right now, and He wants you to know Him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, be freed from death, and live eternally with Him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away. 

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation today:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart, and I receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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