Lenten Devotion – Listen Carefully Lest We Drift
Day 12 – 27 February 2024
“So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak?” Hebrews 2:1-3 (NLT)
I have a tendency to be very focused when I am doing a piece of work (or watching a favourite TV program), to the extent that I become unaware of my surroundings and am in a world of my own. Sometimes, I am so absorbed that I do not hear what Michelle is saying to me and she has to come near and repeat what she said (in a frustrated tone). Only then do I focus my attention on her and listen to what she was trying to tell me.
Similarly, the author of the Book of Hebrews reminds us to “… listen very carefully to the truth …” so that we do not “… drift away from it.” As Christians, we have received the Truth of the Gospel and have dedicated our lives to Jesus. That is only the beginning. We also need to continue to diligently listen to what God is saying to us everyday through His Word and to incorporate these truths into our lives.
This teaching for us to listen carefully to the Truth also comes with a warning that if we are lax in this area …. we will gradually “drift away”. This may happen when we are not consistent in our Quiet Time or do not seriously listen and take heed to the Word of God or we may listen to teaching that is not aligned to the Word of God.
May God grant us His Wisdom and Strength as we seek to deepen our relationship with Him everyday!
Edwin Phang