Are you paying attention? - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 11, 2023
Isaiah 42:20 - You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.
Take a good look at this verse. Does it apply to you? Don't worry about whether you can name other people who are guilty of this. Focus on one thing - does it apply to you?
I know it applies to me. I have seen God do ridiculously wild miracles in my life and that of others. He has proven Himself capable over and over. Yet and still, I am one of those people today's anchor scripture speaks of - one who has seen but failed to pay attention and that's heard but closed my ears so as not to actually hear.
Think about it. If you've seen the wonders of God in your life or someone else's then how can you doubt that the same God is capable of doing the incredible again? And if you've heard Him speak to you personally or through the Bible, then how could it ever be possible for you to not apply what you heard and learned in your life?
These are questions we all have to wrestle with in an effort to put our faith, no matter how small, to work so we avoid the pitfalls of those who have eyes but don't see and have ears but don't hear. These are the sort of people that Jesus spoke to in parables according to Matthew 13:13. They didn't have access to the deeper revelations and understandings that He shared with those who obeyed Him and submitted to His authority.
How do we avoid this? We have to be more intentional in our walk with the Lord. We have to look for and recognize miracles, no matter how big or small they seem, and rejoice for them. The fact the bus was still there though you got there late is cause to glorify God. That there was one last box of the item you went to the store for is reason enough to thank the Lord. See what the Lord has done for you and praise Him for it. If you are grateful for the little, He will surely give you more.
And as for the hearing, when the Lord teaches or tells you something, don't just think, "Oh, that's neat!" Create time to think about what you've learned and how to apply God's lesson in your life. Then, put it into practice. We recently learned about staying away from gossip, for instance. How many of us remember that lesson while we peruse our favorite online 'watering holes' or when we get comfortable with friends, family or coworkers? Or, how many of us are putting God's Royal Law into action in our life on a regular basis?
Becoming a person who pays attention to what God shows us and applies what He tells us requires us making choices to achieve those goals. We'll do great on certain days and not others, sadly. Nevertheless, our God who sees all, will acknowledge how we are putting our faith to work and reward us for doing what pleases Him. We'll grow in the ways of the Lord and become more like David, a person after God's own heart.
May the good Lord continue to help us as we learn to appreciate what He shows and tells us. And may we go stronger in our faith and usefulness to the Kingdom of God, IJN Amen.
See you at Noon EST for P&P time.
To read more:
Trust God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) June 30, 2020
Rely on God, Not Man - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) July 21, 2020
Rely on God - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) March 9, 2021
Faith vs Trust - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) September 10, 2021
Listen, Obey, Trust - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) August 12, 2022
Focus on God's Works - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) September 6, 2022
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