October 11, 2006 - Isaiah 37-38 and Colossians 3
When we talk about someone hearing something, there is two things that we can be saying. The first kind of hearing is just the physical result of the sound getting to our brains, so that we can discern the sounds. The second way that we use the word hearing is that we not only hear the sounds, but there is a response. Often, the only way we know that the other person heard us is their response to our words. These two passages are all about hearing in both senses of the word. I pray that we will all allow God to speak to us through His Word today.
Hezekiah wanted to know if God had heard the Assyrian messenger's blasphemies. (37:4) He also wanted to know if God had heard his prayers for deliverance and for healing. (37:14; 38:5) In each case we see that God had heard, because God responded. God defended His name against the blasphemies, He delivered Jerusalem from destruction, and He healed Hezekiah. We can all say, "Hallelujah, we have a God who hears and answers prayers." However, sometimes God's response is not the one we wanted. He does not answer our prayer in the way we thought He should. Is that still a response? Yes. Did He hear our prayer? Yes. Does God have the right to say "no" or "not now?" Of course, He does. Therefore, we must accept His response, even if it differs from what we wanted.
Now, think about Colossians 3. It speaks of being holy and righteous in our everyday lives. Do you think God is wondering if we heard him? How can He tell if we heard Him? Of course, He can tell by our response. Have you done what He said? If not, do you and I have the option of saying "No" or "Not now" to God? Yes and No. We can say no, but if we do we sin. Our only correct answer is to hear and to obey. Therefore, based on your response, does God know that you have heard His Word? If we are going to apply that standard of hearing to God, we have to apply it to ourselves.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 39-40 and Colossians 4.
Hezekiah wanted to know if God had heard the Assyrian messenger's blasphemies. (37:4) He also wanted to know if God had heard his prayers for deliverance and for healing. (37:14; 38:5) In each case we see that God had heard, because God responded. God defended His name against the blasphemies, He delivered Jerusalem from destruction, and He healed Hezekiah. We can all say, "Hallelujah, we have a God who hears and answers prayers." However, sometimes God's response is not the one we wanted. He does not answer our prayer in the way we thought He should. Is that still a response? Yes. Did He hear our prayer? Yes. Does God have the right to say "no" or "not now?" Of course, He does. Therefore, we must accept His response, even if it differs from what we wanted.
Now, think about Colossians 3. It speaks of being holy and righteous in our everyday lives. Do you think God is wondering if we heard him? How can He tell if we heard Him? Of course, He can tell by our response. Have you done what He said? If not, do you and I have the option of saying "No" or "Not now" to God? Yes and No. We can say no, but if we do we sin. Our only correct answer is to hear and to obey. Therefore, based on your response, does God know that you have heard His Word? If we are going to apply that standard of hearing to God, we have to apply it to ourselves.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Isaiah 39-40 and Colossians 4.