Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. (Hebrews 2:1, ESV)
There was much in Hebrews 2 as well as in Psalm 103 that I wanted to search out more...alas...my allergies are terrible and I got up later than usual. I hate feeling rushed when I study God’s word, but here I am feeling rushed. The first verse of Hebrews 2 confirmed my sentiment. Here the author uses “closer attention” and “drift away”. Both terms apparently have nautical connotations. Closer attention (the NKJV uses earnest heed) can refer to bringing a ship to land...mooring it and tying it up at the dock. Drift away refers to a ship that has been allowed to drift past the harbor. The warning is clear...John MacArthur puts it this way:
secure oneself to the truth of the gospel, being careful not to pass by the only harbor of salvation.
I really like the picture these words paint of mooring myself to Jesus and allowing Him to bring me into His harbor of truth as I walk (drift) through my day. So many things can cause me to go off track in the course of 24 hours. Tying myself to His word course corrects and keeps my heart focused on the eternal. It really doesn’t matter then that I got up late or that my allergies are terrible...I can still give earnest heed to the things I read this morning. I can go back and take each one that I wanted to look at home to my heart by meditating on it. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. "The word IS near me, in my mouth and in my heart” and our God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. He is good and does good.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.—2 Timothy 3:16-17
