“He who has ears, let him hear”
14 “Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says:
Matthew 13:14-16, ESV
“‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” 15 For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”
“In one ear, and out the other”, “selective hearing”, “tuned out”, “white noise”. Ever heard of any of these expressions? Amidst all the noise we encounter daily, we often don’t actual receive and comprehend many of the things that we hear. Whether it’s the TV or music in the background as we work, the traffic on the road, people talking around (or to) us, or any of the other audible sounds around us, we have often learned to just “tune things out”. With all the noise and information exchange we have today, still many people in our world are convinced that there is no God, or if there is that he’s at least not speaking to us. And still some people just plain only want to hear what they want to hear, and nothing else that might go against that grain (2 Tim. 4:3).
1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…
Hebrews 1:1-2, ESV
Yet we know that God has spoken to us through His Living Word which has been thoroughly and painstakingly documented for generations in the Scriptures for all to read and hear. Many people around the world would die (and in certain places many do) to have any bit of this written record of God’s Word, yet we find so often that many Christians in more privileged places will go long stretches of time without ever so much as picking up their Bible to hear what God has to say to them. Yes, His Holy Spirit is still speaking today for those who will have ears to hear Him (Rev. 2:29), but will we first hear what He’s already spoken in His written word (Prov. 4:20-22), and then keep listening long enough to hear the rhema word from the Spirit (Isa. 30:21)?
Today, set time to turn off those external noises and be in silence, meditating on His written Word. Ask Him to speak to you. Then listen.
Song for today:
Prayer for today:
Father, thank you for speaking to us through the prophets of old, and through Your Son Jesus. Thank you for all of those who gave their lives throughout the centuries so I could have Your Word written down for me to read and hear. As I pick up my Bible today, please speak to me. Let me not just hear it as I read, but let it touch my heart and change me. As I meditate on what you’ve already said to me, open my ears to hear the rhema word of Your Spirit here and now. You say that Your sheep hear Your voice. I am Yours God. Speak to me about my day, my family, my work, and any area of my life. Speak to me about the plans You have for me. Lead me in Your Way.