Devotions From the Heart: Losing What We Have

by Derek Gitsham

Losing What We Have

"Therefore we ought to give the more earnest
heed to the things which we have heard, lest
at any times we should let them slip" (Hebrews 2:1)

In the Greek the words for “let them slip” are
literally translated “run out as from leaking vessels.”
So many are suffering this malady in the Church due to
this one reason not taking heed. Another rendering
reads, “less we should slip.” How apt is that? If we
do let the words that the Lord is speaking to us not
take a hold, we shall be liable to slip.

Our minds and memories, because they have been
twisted by the corruption of our nature, have to
be diligently harnessed to lay hold of what we are
hearing and reading from God’s word. We are told the
birds of the air, in the parable of the sower, (birds
are types of demonic spirits) sweep down upon the
seed and steal it away, the fowls of the air
devouring it (Luke 8:5).

Hearing the word once is not enough for most of
us, we need to hear it again and again, our
memories and minds being so leaky. The work of
the enemy, if he cannot steal the word away, will
try and distract us and he will work hard at it
to obtain his purpose. The word fell by the way
side, some upon a rock, some among thorns. All
were places to be avoided if the word is to be
fruitful in our lives. The final place was the
good ground which Luke says is a man who in
a good and honest heart, having heard the word,
keeps it, and brings forth fruit with patience
(Luke 8:15).

The word “keep” in Greek is "to keep in memory,
possess, seize on, and take." A good exercise for
all of us is when we hear God’s word and know it
is for us, we need to say, and “That’s mine!".
We need to take it, seize it, snatch it out of
the air, and claim it for ourselves. So serious
is this word, to take heed, that failure to do
so could have terrible repercussions, as Hebrews
begins to unfold. God makes us serious as we
listen to His Word.