Did they not hear? What a question. It is a sad commentary couched in question format. Although the textual response is "yes, they heard" it is followed by "no, they did not listen." They are called disobedient and obstinate.
What a sad picture this text paints. Holding out hands to an obstinate people who do not respond, who do not listen. Yet in the moment I seriously doubt that the people of Israel saw themselves as obstinate and not listening. They were, after all, the people of God and had his words with them.
So what comment would God make about me? Today I will make it my focus to listen -- not to the noise and activity around me but to the gentle voice in the background. I will work to listen to the one who is guiding the orchestra rather than to the individual pieces around me. I will work to control my pride so that I surrender to his lead rather than be labeled obstinate. I will strive to not only hear, but to listen.
Showing posts with label hearing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hearing. Show all posts
Monday, August 23, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Luke 22:63-71; The Answer
This entire exchange seems like a chess match to me. They ask if he is the Messiah, the promised one. He said they wouldn't believe him even if he spoke plainly; then he answered regarding another prophecy about the Son of Man. They counter with "Oh are you therefore claiming divinity?" He responded with a strong affirmation. They seemed relieved with "that's all we need to hear" type response.
In the exchanged Jesus spoke to their closed-mindedness and then they demonstrated it at the end. He also spoke to the fact that he was even more than they realized; they could not hear nor comprehend his words.
They were looking for one thing and one thing only. It concerns me to see this. I wonder how often I come to scripture looking for one answer which I already have formed in my mind and because of that miss God speaking to me? I also wonder how often I do that in daily conversation with the good people around me?
Today I will strive to really listen.
In the exchanged Jesus spoke to their closed-mindedness and then they demonstrated it at the end. He also spoke to the fact that he was even more than they realized; they could not hear nor comprehend his words.
They were looking for one thing and one thing only. It concerns me to see this. I wonder how often I come to scripture looking for one answer which I already have formed in my mind and because of that miss God speaking to me? I also wonder how often I do that in daily conversation with the good people around me?
Today I will strive to really listen.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Hearing God
Sitting outside listening to the birds this morning I mused about what it meant to listen to God. It seems to have become in vogue to say that "God told me" or "God put it on my heart." Over and over I am hearing this from people that call themselves spiritual. But are they really hearing God?
I read Joshua 1 and God spoke for a long time to Josh. He was very specific and very direct. Now that I think about it, he did the same with Moses, Paul, Jesus and just about everyone I can think of in the Bible. That doesn't sound much like some of the vague and fuzzy images that some people are attributing to God these days.
When I look back at God's instructions to Moses, he seems quite capable of speaking in clear words and great detail. If God can give detailed instructions on how to make a curtain for the tabernacle, it would seem that he probably would communicate clearly on other topics also.
What makes us think that God is supposed to take time to talk to me? Isn't that a little egocentric? "I am so special that I can ignore everything that God said for the past 2000 years, all those words that were so carefully written and confirmed by communities, and God will just speak directly to me." That sounds more like serving self than serving God.
Back to Joshua 1. Another aspect of God's message to Josh was what he commanded and prohibited. He commanded courage in action. He prohibited feeling sorry for oneself (terrified and discouraged).
Today I think I'll keep life simple and try to just live out those two little commands. No waiting on new revelation reserved just for me and exclusive of the other 6 billion people on the planet. No excuses about not knowing enough. Just live out what I already know and not feel sorry for myself.
I read Joshua 1 and God spoke for a long time to Josh. He was very specific and very direct. Now that I think about it, he did the same with Moses, Paul, Jesus and just about everyone I can think of in the Bible. That doesn't sound much like some of the vague and fuzzy images that some people are attributing to God these days.
When I look back at God's instructions to Moses, he seems quite capable of speaking in clear words and great detail. If God can give detailed instructions on how to make a curtain for the tabernacle, it would seem that he probably would communicate clearly on other topics also.
What makes us think that God is supposed to take time to talk to me? Isn't that a little egocentric? "I am so special that I can ignore everything that God said for the past 2000 years, all those words that were so carefully written and confirmed by communities, and God will just speak directly to me." That sounds more like serving self than serving God.
Back to Joshua 1. Another aspect of God's message to Josh was what he commanded and prohibited. He commanded courage in action. He prohibited feeling sorry for oneself (terrified and discouraged).
Today I think I'll keep life simple and try to just live out those two little commands. No waiting on new revelation reserved just for me and exclusive of the other 6 billion people on the planet. No excuses about not knowing enough. Just live out what I already know and not feel sorry for myself.
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