Hearing God’s Word
Tuesday’s Verses:
From Mark 4:24-25 ESV
And (Jesus) said to them. “Pay attention to what you hear: with the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and still more will be added to you. For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
Jesus’ teaching sounds harsh at first reading. It almost sounds like He is talking about reaping dividends. Commensurate returns for faithful effort.
But within context, Jesus is talking about hearing Him.
Everything starts with God’s Word reaching our ears. Faith isn’t something we concoct. God’s Holy Spirit grants it to us through His Gospel. So when Jesus speaks of “the measure you use,” He’s referring to our hearing of His Word.
If we brush it off, tune it out, or half-heartedly listen, don’t expect it to resonate with us. Don’t be mad that God’s Word isn’t working if you aren’t allowing it to work!
But when we embrace what we hear with good ears, even feeble and imperfect faith will receive blessing. God will work on that. He will strengthen and deepen our faith. He will grow our faith over time. That is the promise of “more will be given.”
This isn’t performance theology. It’s an examination of the heart.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Lord, grant me ears to hear Your Word. Save me from taking it for granted or giving it little heed. Grow my faith by Your Gospel, and cling to me in Christ even when I grip you weakly. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
The image above waslicensed through Unsplash+