Mark 4:24 – “Consider carefully what you hear, he continued, with the measure you use, it will be measured to you – and even more.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, the first thought that came to my mind was, “What an amazing God we serve, and what an amazing book we have in the Bible.”

• It has encouragement when we need it. 
• It has direction when we need it.
• It has corrections when we need it. 
• It has inspiration when we need it. 
• It has revelation when we need it. 
• Sometimes, we don’t even know we need what it provides.

That’s why we can read the same passage on 100 different days and get 100 different levels of understanding. It is a LIVING BOOK!  

In 1 Samuel 17, when David faced Goliath, some important truths were revealed. David (v 40) took what he had, what he knew, and what he had been trained to use rather than Saul’s armor.  That is a word for us. Remember God’s question to Moses?  What is in your hand?  We need to stop trying to be and do what others are and do, and use what we have for the task before us.

No person, in their right mind (natural thinking) would have faced a giant trained for war, with a stick, a slingshot, and a few rocks.  David didn’t either. What?  But it says… Read again what David actually said. 1 Samuel 17:45, “You (Goliath) come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelin, BUT I COME to you in the NAME of the LORD of hosts, the GOD of the armies of Israel, whom you have taunted.”   What was David’s real weapon?  THE NAME OF THE LORD!  The other things are contact points, nothing more. The real power was THE NAME!

Jesus said in Mark 4:24 – “Take care WHAT you listen to…” Often, our problem is that we LISTEN to the wrong voices.  We listen to the hordes of hell, the perception of people, and the longings of our hearts.  We even call those a Word from God.  But if we LISTEN to the true voice of the Spirit of God, we find the courage and strength to stand or go with what we have rather than waiting on a dream. If nothing is impossible for God, then NOTHING is impossible!

What do you need today? The Book has the answer, encouragement, enlightenment, and inspiration. Read it as a personal letter from God to you!

LORD, help us to respond to Your Word as the Living Word of God!