Those Who Have Ears, Let Them Hear

Perspectives on Knowing continues with a focus on the volitional factor–God is speaking, yet do we want to hear what he has to say.  The sermon centers on a fascinating story where God’s word to King Zedekiah was counterintuitive. Surrender to “God’s enemies” and you will live/the city will survive. Jeremiah was God’s single spokesperson delivering this message, all the other voices around the King were telling him to fight on.

What it shows us: 

The challenge of hearing God – most of the “Prophets” told Zedekiah to fight.

The intent of God’s voice - healing and peace bathed in mercy.  

The critical factor of listening. Zedekiah decided not to listen. This foreshadows one of Jesus’ favorite sayings, “let him who has ears to hear, let him hear.” His promise that if we seek, we will find, knock, and the door will open–the need for intention on our side. And the great stakes involved–those who listen have the house that can withstand the storm, those who do not do what he says, have the house that falls with a crash. (Matthew 7). 

The call is to seriously examine why we don’t listen and what we’re afraid God will tell us if we do. The hope is we can move past those fears to see that even the hard things he may say to us are for our flourishing.