Closed Hearts Make this announcement to Israel, and say this to Judah: Listen, you foolish and senseless people, with eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. Have you no respect for me? Why dont you tremble in my presence? I, the LORD, define the oceans sandy shoreline as an everlasting boundary that the waters cannot cross. The waves may toss and roar, but they can never pass the boundaries I set. But my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and abandoned me. They do not say from the heart, Let us live in awe of the LORD our God, for he gives us rain each spring and fall, assuring us of a harvest when the time is right. Your wickedness has deprived you of these wonderful blessings. Your sin has robbed you of all these good things. Among my people are wicked men who lie in wait for victims like a hunter hiding in a blind. They continually set traps to catch people. Like a cage filled with birds, their homes are filled with evil plots. And now they are great and rich. (Jeremiah 5:20-27) Have you ever spoken to someone only to realize that the person hasnt heard a word you were saying? Perhaps he or she was too distracted. Or perhaps that person had a strong opinion and couldnt accept a contrary viewpoint. Jeremiah told the people of Judah that their eyes and ears did them no good because they refused to see Gods signs or hear Gods message. The people of Judah and Israel were foolishly deaf when God promised blessings for obedience and destruction for disobedience. When God speaks through his Word or his messengers, we harm ourselves if we fail to listen. Gods message will never change us unless we listen to it. What is your attitude when you come into Gods presence? Do you go with ears and heart open? Approaching him with awe and respect is always the right approach, because God sets the boundaries of the roaring seas and establishes the rains and harvests. God had to strip away all the benefits that Judah and Israel had grown to respect more than him, in hopes that the people would turn back to him. Dont wait until God removes your cherished resources before committing yourself to him.
Posted on: Fri, 04 Apr 2014 10:20:16 +0000