The disciples were always asking for an explanation to Jesus' parables and teachings. Can't you just hear Jesus saying..."Really, guys, don't you get it? OK. I'll explain this to you. Listen up. Pay attention and try to understand"
From the Old Testament we see Isaiah using "listen" in his prophesy concerning Israel in the end time. Listening is a key to understanding anything--especially God's words.
- "Listen to me, all who hope for deliverance--all who seek the LORD! Consider the rock from which you were cut, the quarry from which you were mined. Yes, think about Abraham, your ancestor, and Sarah, who gave birth to your nation. Abraham was only one man when I called him. But when I blessed him, he became a great nation. The LORD will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air. Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Look up to the skies above, and gaze down on the earth below. For the skies will disappear like smoke, and the earth will wear out like a piece of clothing. The people of the earth will die like flies, but my salvation lasts forever. My righteous rule will never end! Listen to me, you who know right from wrong, you who cherish my law in your hearts. Do not be afraid of people's scorn, nor fear their insults." Isaiah 51:1-7
Listen. How can we understand if we don't listen? In this Isaiah passage God was speaking to the nation of Israel...but He he was also addressing anyone who knows right from wrong. We just need to "listen." Listening to God's word is always a wise action. This reminds me that I need to be "reading" His word every day--listening for understanding. It is so easy to fall away from a daily devotional habit. Oh, I can read a verse or two--especially as I write this blog...but it is harder to keep up my Daily Bible Reading as I read the Bible through this year and journal. How are you doing in this New Year with your Daily Bible Reading and journaling? As you listen to God's word--studying Jesus teachings...what is He telling you? Do you understand?
Prayer ~ Lord, as we read Your Word help us to understand. Give us wisdom and fill us with Your joy as we understand. We give You praise and are filled with thanksgiving as we seek You and listen to Your word.
Daily Bible Reading: Job 14-16
© 2018 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. www.blueletterbible.org/daily reading.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. www.blueletterbible.org/daily reading.
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