You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don't really listen. Isaiah 42:20
Meditate.
Are you listening or hearing?
Have
you ever looked at something and just not seen it? Have you ever heard someone
speak and just found yourself not processing what they said? Are you even
listening? I thought it was maybe just a senior moment thing…but I’ve noticed
that it happens with younger people…even teens or kids, too. Isaiah asks if
people see and know what is right, but just don’t do it. That happens. Years
ago I recall a step-mom who lived next door complained and shook her head at
her new teenager step-kids who would walk right by a scrap piece of paper on
the floor and just ignore it, several times. They didn’t even see it. She
expected them to automatically pick it up. Is that what God expects of us? Are
we ignoring what He has right before us? We can see or hear, but we’re not
observing or listening. What would motivate us to engage with our surroundings—with
the people that are around us—so that we see and hear and really act on those things—especially
on the expectations of the Lord? 
Do you have ears to hear?
Are you stubbornly NOT listening?
What
does He expect of us? As the prophet Micah wrote:
…O people, the LORD has told you
what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love
mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8
So, what
will you do? You know what is right. You love mercy shown to you…can you show
mercy to others? Are you walking humbly with God? Are you staying close to the
Lord in your relationship with Him? Consider what Solomon wrote in Proverbs.
Pride leads to disgrace, but with
humility comes wisdom. Proverbs
11:2
Wisdom is
always good. Wisdom was with God at the beginning. Here are a few verses that
we can read in a chapter that covers the qualities of wisdom.
Listen to me! For I have important
things to tell you. Everything I say is right, for I speak the truth and detest
every kind of deception. My advice is wholesome. There is nothing devious or
crooked in it. My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those
with knowledge. ... I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where
to discover knowledge and discernment. ... The LORD formed me from the
beginning, before he created anything else. ... And how happy I was with the
world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family! And so, my children,
listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction
and be wise. Don't ignore it. Proverbs
8:6-9, 12, 22, 31-33
God has
provided His wisdom for us to follow—and those who do are blessed. Life may not
be easy, always fun, or exciting—but it is the wise thing to do. Seek wisdom.
That is an easy thing for us to do when we have Bibles accessible, but not
everyone does. Pray for those in countries that are persecuted. Cover them with
blessings that they may have opportunities to share God’s words with others. Do
you share Jesus’ teaching and encouraging scripture with others?
Prayer
~ Lord, give me wisdom to know when to speak up for You. Help me see
opportunities to listen to others and really hear what they are saying…and
share Your compassion and love.
Verse
of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay
true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of
those who hear you. 1
Timothy 4:16
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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