Leaning in the Right Direction

Incline you ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live. Isaiah 55:3 (KJV)

I love learning the meaning of words. Without the aid of a dictionary and good concordance I lose the rich meanings of words and hence the valuable lessons God would teach me through them. The word “incline” has my attention this morning. It has the idea of bending or leaning forward, to be drawn toward an opinion, to put oneself in a position of being persuaded. I was surprised to learn that we are told in Scripture to incline two things: our heart and our ears. I immediately wondered what the connection was. God was all too eager to show me!

What and who I listen to affects the way I think and believe. What I think and believe affects my actions and my words. It is like a domino affect over my life. It also epitomizes the reaping and sowing principle. That which I allow to be sown into my mind will be reaped in my speech and behavior. This is a powerful truth I must grab a hold of if I am going to live in victory rather than in defeat.

I go into today with some choices. I can perk up my ears and listen intently to the enemy’s lies, to my distorted thoughts, or the world’s philosophies if I so choose. Or I can turn my ears toward the voice of my Father and His living Word. If I choose the first option I begin on a mental, emotional, and spiritual descent. It will lead me downward every time. Once there, I begin to loath and condemn myself, have harsh thoughts toward others, and live outside the realm of truth. This continues until I determine to incline my ears toward the voice of my Father.

Oh the change and freedom that comes when I begin to take my thoughts captive, stand against the schemes of the devil, and do some serious warfare praying and speaking! As long as I continue to lean forward and listen intently to what God is telling me I walk with courage, confidence, and wisdom. As His Word fills my mind it has a ripple affect on every other area of my life.

I choose today to be attentive to His ways, His Word, and His whispers. All day long, conversations will come my way and I will have to discern which ones I will listen to.

Father, I determine to incline my ear to Your voice. Speak clearly to me so that I don’t miss a thing You have to say. Your words live in me. Amen.