Ears to Hear and Eyes to See - Proverbs 8-9 and II Corinthians 3
Proverbs 8 and 9 is a marvelous passage of Scripture in which Solomon is inspired by God to show us Wisdom personified. Personification is a literary device in which the author attributes human characteristics to an abstract or non-human entity. Here Solomon tells us that Wisdom is calling out to mankind trying to teach us the realities of life. The problem is not very many people really listen to what he is saying. They reject the voice of wisdom, because they reject God. They reject the admonition to hate evil, because they have chosen to reject God and to embrace a certain amount of evil. They do not turn from foolishness, because they like acting as if there is no God and no authority over them. They will not have ears to really hear, until they turn to the Lord and put their trust in Him. The opposite is also true. We who fear the Lord and have trusted Him, hear wisdom loud and clear. The more we trust Him, the more we hear the voice of wisdom for our lives.
II Corinthians 3 uses the analogy of being able to see the things of God. Some people are blind, because they have a veil over their eyes. The veil is unbelief. Paul affirms that when a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Then, the truth of God and the glory of God is seen fully. Even more than that, the more we behold the glory of God, the more the Spirit is able to change us into the likeness of Jesus. None of this come from our own effort. It comes from trusting the Lord by faith. Then, He opens our eyes. When we see Him clearly, He makes the changes. Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to understand this, and we desperately need to understand this truth, too. That is why God preserved it for us in His Word. How are your ears and eyes? Are you hearing and seeing clearly? If not, remember, it is an issue of trusting God. It is not that the truth is not there. It is that sin has blocked your ability to hear and to see. Turn to Him in faith, and see how quickly you have ears to hear and eyes to see.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 10-12 and II Corinthians 4.
II Corinthians 3 uses the analogy of being able to see the things of God. Some people are blind, because they have a veil over their eyes. The veil is unbelief. Paul affirms that when a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Then, the truth of God and the glory of God is seen fully. Even more than that, the more we behold the glory of God, the more the Spirit is able to change us into the likeness of Jesus. None of this come from our own effort. It comes from trusting the Lord by faith. Then, He opens our eyes. When we see Him clearly, He makes the changes. Paul wanted the Corinthian believers to understand this, and we desperately need to understand this truth, too. That is why God preserved it for us in His Word. How are your ears and eyes? Are you hearing and seeing clearly? If not, remember, it is an issue of trusting God. It is not that the truth is not there. It is that sin has blocked your ability to hear and to see. Turn to Him in faith, and see how quickly you have ears to hear and eyes to see.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 10-12 and II Corinthians 4.