Ready To Hear

At my age, I have developed significant hearing loss. Honestly, I try to hear and understand what other people are saying, but many times, I just can’t. A particular problem for me comes when I try to hear someone speak in a noisy environment. The surrounding noise often drowns out the speaker’s voice. I need to be in an environment conducive to hearing.

I Samuel 3:9 says, “Therefore Eli said to Samuel, “Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, ‘Speak, LORD, for your servant hears.'” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.” We should always be in a position ready to listen for a word from God. And when He does speak, we should be ready to do what He says. Often, we need to block out the noises of the world’s influence and our busy schedules by going to a quiet place and asking God to speak to us.

Covered in Sweat

A few years ago, my wife and I helped with disaster recovery efforts in Houston, Texas after Hurricane Harvey. We assisted home owners with removing destroyed property, floors, and walls caused by the flooding. It was summer time in Houston, so it was hot and humid. I was covered in sweat daily and even my clothes were soaked through with sweat. Therefore, I had a distinctive appearance and smell.

Isaiah 61:10 says, “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” We are unable to achieve righteousness on our own. But God, in His mercy, sent His Son to die for our salvation and to clothe us with His righteousness. He gives us a distinctive appearance, aroma, and life, as His children covered in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Therefore, all who trust in Him can rejoice and praise Him forever.

A Son Is Given

Several hundred years before Jesus was born, God gave Isaiah a prophecy regarding the birth of the Savior. 

Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus is able to see and understand our needs and give us perfect answers to our problems. As Mighty God, Jesus has the power to solve our problems. As Everlasting Father, Jesus gives us tender care, protection, and comfort in the midst of our struggles. As the Prince of Peace, He provides peace as we rely upon His sovereignty.

Putting It All Together

Suppose you receive a box from an unexpected source. You open the box and find hundreds of pieces and one drawing of what the finished product should look like. You scan the pieces and the drawing and decide that you want to put it all together. However, you think that you know how to put it together simply by looking at the drawing. You begin to put it together and find some pieces that you think are useless, so you discard those pieces. At the end, you declare yourself finished. Several pieces have been discarded, but the project looks complete. After several days of use of your new project, you find that it is weaker than it should be and begins to fall apart. Pieces fall off and other pieces are damaged. Unfortunately, this happens in the church at times. It is easy to ignore some members or feel that they can’t offer value. But as time goes on, we find that we need them and the gifts that God has given them. We find that they can offer significant value to the church and to us personally.

I Corinthians 12:24-26 says, “But God so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” In the body of Jesus Christ, we all need each other. One person cannot do the ministry by themselves. Each member has been gifted differently to play their special role within the church, so that together we will fulfill God’s purpose. Beyond that, we are so equipped in order to care for one another. Let us love one another and honor one another.

Perfection

I am painfully aware of my many imperfections. Although I seek to mature and improve daily, the struggle is real and far from complete. God is and always has been perfect in every way. He has no need to change because He is above reproach and always righteous in every way.

Deuteronomy 7:9 says, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.” God never changes, because He is perfect forever. He keeps all His promises and His love never fails us. Therefore, it is good to know His promises and to return His love with an steadfast love from a trusting heart.