“Listen, listen to me… Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live”. Isa. 55:2-3
Heavenly Father, beautiful snow fell last night on top of our icy roads—to the joy of many sledders. One of the first emails I noticed this morning informed me, because of the weather, a local hearing “assistance” office won’t be open today.
It’s not a random email, because hearing aids are in my future. My tinnitus (ringing ears) is getting louder; and I have to work harder to hear the voices that matter the most.
The spiritual parallels are timely, critical, and life-shaping. There’s a constant battle for the “ears of our hearts.” So many voices vie for our hearing and listening. The world tries to seduce us, and Satan constantly condemns us. The “approval-suck” inside us listens to people way too much. Our worries and anxieties blast us with “what if’s” and “if only’s. The voice of shame seeks to keep us off-balance, insecure, and deaf to the Gospel.
BUT then there’s your blessed voice, Father. By your Word and Spirit, we hear you say, “I’ve chosen, called, and adopted you. Peace, my child. You. Are. Mine. Robed in Jesus’ righteousness, and sealed with my Spirit—your past is forgiven; your present is my domain; and your future is beyond anything you can imagine. Trust me.”
Father, thank you. Please turn the volume up to 11 or 12. Drown out all the noise, lies, and anti-Gospel-tinnitus. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ glorious and grace-full name.
