“WHO HEARS!”

Matthew 7:24-25                           (ESV)

“24 "Everyone then “WHO HEARS” these WORDS OF MINE and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”

There is a lot of talk about a song performed by Carrie Underwood’s last night entitled “Softly and Tenderly”.   No, I didn’t watch it for I hardly watch television, but Carrie Underwood’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art” with Vince Gill in the guitar a few years ago was something to remember.  There is little doubt in my mind that the song last night was also memorable.  

Isn’t it amazing how some people listen to a recording artist with expectations of hearing a song performed that will be remembered for a long time, but when we are searching for answers to questions in our lives we want to figure it out on our own?  Not everyone “WHO HEARS” can hear the voice of GOD.   JESUS said in the scripture above that everyone “WHO HEARS”, leaving me to understand that some people can’t hear because their ears aren’t tuned into the things of GOD.   

 In Matthew 13:13-16 JESUS says that some people can hear HIM talking, but they don’t understand what HE is saying.  There are MANY other verses that speak about listening to ALMIGHTY GOD, but perhaps one of the best is Jeremiah 17:23 which states “Yet they DID NOT LISTEN or “incline” their ear, but stiffened their neck, that they might not hear and receive instruction.”  

We are directed not only to LISTEN to GOD, but to “incline” our ears to obey HIM!   Having an “inclination” to do something usually means we are leaning towards doing it.   So why do I have an “inclination” to do that which I “don’t want to do”?  The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 7:15 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do THE VERY THING I HATE”!   The answer to his dilemma is in verses 24 & 25 of the same chapter where he identifies JESUS CHRIST as the only solution to his problem!

Being one of the Chosen “WHO HEARS” GOD doesn’t mean that is all we are required to do.   We must not only HEAR, but DO what we are told to DO.  When the rains fall, and the floods come, and the winds blow, we must rest assured that we are part of the group “WHO HEARS” our LORD leading and guiding us to HIS reward!!!