FRIDAY March 22, 2024
Hard of Hearing
“ ‘...Go to this people and say: “Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand; and seeing you will see, and not perceive; for the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them.” ’ ”
Acts 28:26-27
After listening to Paul, some of the Jewish leaders were described as spiritually deaf––their ears were hard of hearing. They did not understand the Scriptures and, in unbelief, departed. Paul had taught them the inspired Word of God as, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God... (2 Timothy 3:16). He did not teach them his own interpretation of the Scriptures:
...no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21).
When Paul witnessed some of the Jews’ departure, he referenced the book of Isaiah. The prophet was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about God’s people; their hearts had grown calloused, and their ears were dull––hard of hearing. God had pleaded with the Jews to turn to Him, but they were so stubborn (Isaiah 6:9-10).
People come to church, but do they come with an open heart and ears to listen to what God has to say to them? Some sit down, arms crossed, with hardened hearts. Others are distracted and are not ready to listen. The message is given, but unless their hearts are prepared and their ears are ready to listen, they will not hear what God desires to say to them.
Throughout the week, spend time alone with God. Make sure to be at the service for worship, as this will prepare your heart to receive the Word of God. You will hear His voice. Conviction will come to your heart, and you will be open to respond, “Yes, Lord, I need to change that area of my life.”
God will speak to the hearts of those who prepare themselves to hear; and conversely, those who do not so prepare themselves will hear nothing even though the Word of God is falling upon their outer ears every Sunday.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
