February 10, 2023 — Ears to Hear

I realized my mind was wandering when all of a sudden I heard Stan say, “Are you listening to me?”

I refocused and replied, “Sorry, Stan, what were you saying?”

Stan laughed and said, “How appropriate!”

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“I was talking about what Luke recorded Jesus as saying to some disciples when He was telling them a parable.”

“What’d Jesus say?”

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” Stan replied.

“You’re right,” I said. “How appropriate. Sorry!”

“That’s okay,” Stan replied. “The Bible records that the same thing was said at least a dozen times.”

“What same thing?”

“About ears and hearing,” Stan said. “If you have them, use them. But it’s not always easy. That’s why I pray specifically to be open to seeing and to hearing all that God has for me every day.”

“You pray that every day?” I asked.

“Sure do,” Stan replied. “I don’t want to miss anything God has for me.”

“From way too much personal experience,” he continued, “I know that if I’m not listening to what God has to say to me, I’m going to miss some important things. Whether it’s in what I read in the Bible or in what I hear, or don’t hear, from the voice of the Holy Spirit, if I’m not paying attention, I’m going to miss what God has for me. And I don’t want that to happen.”

“So,” I replied, “if I’ve got ears to hear, which I do, I’m supposed to use them for what God intends. Is that it?”

“That’s it, my friend,” Stan replied. “Thanks for listening!”

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Bible verses to consider:

As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Luke 8:8.

He who has ears, let him hear. Matthew 13:9.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 2:7.

(How many other verses can you find that say the same thing?)

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for all you have to show and tell me about your provision of life eternally in your presence when it’s time, along with the eternal life of knowing you and Jesus on this side of eternity. I confess that too often I don’t hear and I don’t listen to what you have for me because I’m distracted and focusing on things apart from you. Please forgive the foolishness of not hearing and listening to all you have for me. Please, Father, help me to follow every step of your lead so I hear, listen to, and apply all you have for me in living this life for you and your kingdom. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen. 

Think on this: Have you heard, listened to, and accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life eternally with Him? If no, why? What’s standing in the way? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with hearing, listening to, and applying all that God has for you while He keeps you on this side of eternity? If you sense the need for change in hearing, listening, and/or applying, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?