“He who has an ear, listen to what the Spirit says…” (Rev.3:13). “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life… I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David” (Isa.55:3). “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I’ll come in and we’ll break bread together” (Rev.3:20). “Beloved brethren, be quick to listen...” (Jms.1:19).
Dear Jesus, so much of life is listening. Whatever/Whoever has our ears usually gains our hearts and directs our lives. So on this March Friday, we come to you with ears and hearts wide open.
You spoke and creation came into existence. You still speak and everything is sustained by your command (Heb.1:3). And as surely as you said to Lazarus, “Come forth,” so you spoke the word and raised us from spiritual death to new life in yourself (Eph.2:1-8). Only you have words of eternal life (Jn.6:68).
What’s your competition for our outer and inner ears? Oh my, that list is long, Jesus. There are multiple ear-scratchers, spinmeisters, fool-enablers, and sugar-coated liars anxious and angling to control our listening—all desiring to lead us from your truth, goodness, and beauty. Then there’s our yet-to-be-glorified deceitful hearts (Jer.17:9), and the father of lies—the devil himself (Jn.8:44).
Jesus, as our gracious liberating King, take our thoughts captive—even when we resist (2Cor.10:5). Way more than “hanging onto your words,” we wants your words to penetrate, infiltrate, permeate and utterly transform every aspect of our being. Brainwash us? Yes—in the best sense of the word, for we have “dirty” brains. Hear, listen, and think about “whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable”(Phil.4:8)? Heck yes, because you fulfill every one of those categories. So Very Amen.
