There are many who have opportunities to hear the Word of God, some regularly and clearly. When this happens, the devil is painfully punctual, never absent, never late, determined to do harm. The devil is fearfully powerful, taking away the word from the hearers. The devil is fiendishly practical, particularly aiming to keep the word from the heart. The devil is viciously purposeful, intending to prevent people believing and being saved. This reminds us of the power of the Word of God preached, and our dependence on the Holy Spirit, and the danger of a careless or contemptuous hearing of the Scriptures.