Quick to Listen

What do your ears hear; what does your heart know; what does your soul become? The Word is not far away --- it is before your eyes and in your hands. It is ringing and sounding and shouting throughout the land. It is in your mind so that you cannot forget it or ignore it or overlook it or deny it. Listen and listen, O child of God! Learn and learn! Hear the Word of the LORD and dismiss the houndings and hollow sounds and harlot whispers of the world. Turn away from the threats and syrup and demands and incitements and indictments. Know and believe and trust the Word that is written on and hidden in your heart. Do not follow the anger and rage and fury and insanity of the world, the venom and viciousness of the wicked. The traps and snares and pits are there, but so also are the sword and shield and full armor and fortress of God. Christ has overcome the world, and you are with Him. And the Word is singing the truth to your soul. And the Spirit is speaking, ever speaking, bringing your heart and mind in line. You are this chosen people, this royal priesthood, this holy nation, this people belonging to God. You are this family and fierce fighting force, standing and advancing and building for Christ. The lies and deceits and pretensions of the enemy cannot reach the heights of the truth. And you are witnesses and workers and warriors of the truth. Christ calls you and counsels you and commands you. Do what He says. Live and love and lift this truth!

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you. But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.   --- James 1:19-22

Richard Wallace