Open & Obedient

Jesus said whoever has ears let them hear. He said how you understand and apply the word will determine what is produced with your life. 

“When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron…they anointed David king over Israel. The king and his men marched to Jerusalem…The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here…Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they went up in full force…but David heard about it and went down to the stronghold…David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go…The Lord answered him, “Go…Once more the Philistines came up…so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. So David did as the Lord commanded him” 2 Samuel 5:3-25

Can you see the secret to David’s success? What helped make him king and stand firm against constant attacks from others? What helped him established a life that was secure? David practiced listening prayer.  He listened to the word of God and applied it to his life.  The text said He did as God commanded.

What is your prayer life like? Is it like a driveby order with your personal problems or a time where you seek God's presence? Is your life rooted in God’s word? How much time to you spend meditating on His word?Are you open to hearing from Him and will to do what He says, regardless of whether it aligns with your plans? 

David asked specific questions and God gave specific answers. What would happen if we stopped asking God what should I do and instead asked him how we should do it? The heart that asks how rather than what shows a commitment to hearing and doing. The one who asks what can still waffle between choices. The heart that asks how is ready and willing to work. 

“I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” That is where the tribes go up to praise the name of the Lord…There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.” Psalms 122:1-9

What will God say when you stand before the throne of judgment?  Will, He say well done, good and faithful servant for you had ears to hear and a heart to serve? Or will you be separated like wheat from the weeds? What we do with what we hear is what will testify on that day.

The patterns of David’s life were pleasing to God. He was eager to praise, pray, and help others prosper. Even his prayers reflected a heart for other others.  He did not use his position of authority for His own purposes. He wanted to see others find peace and the house of the Lord prosper. Which of these practices could you grow in? How could your daily patterns help you prepare your heart to produce fruit? 

“Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” Proverbs 17:1-27

If we start with the end, perhaps it could help us begin a new life in Christ. Solomon says the one who has knowledge uses words wisely and is even tempered. How well do you control your temper? Are you easily angered or offended often? Or are you able to process your emotions and let the Spirit lead you in how you react to the world around you? The message today is all about God’s word getting into your heart that you might know how to live a fruitful life. The word knowledge in this passage means a person who knows how to apply what they hear in a way that aligns with God. What good is hearing if we do not understand how to act on what we hear?

Solomon said it is important to focus on wisdom and not let your eyes wander. How intentional are you about what you look at, listen to, and let into your heart? Are you a wanderer? Do you endlessly scroll or intentionally seek? Proverbs says above all else guard your heart for it is out of your heart that your life flows. Solomon said the Lord tests the heart. How is your heart today? 

Are you producing the fruit of peace, joy, love, gentleness, goodness, and self-control? Or are you stirring up conflict, gossiping about others, and allowing corruption to keep you from allowing Christ to produce fruit as His love flows through you? Solomon is telling us that there are things that can block our hearts from becoming godly. He warns against hearts that like to sin and ears that listen to Satan. We have to choose who our hearts belong to by committing to one or the other. 

“My heart falters, fear makes me tremble; The watchman replies, “Morning is coming, but also the night. If you would ask, then ask; and come back yet again.” This is what the Lord says to me: “Within one year, as a servant bound by contract…the splendor of Kedar will come to an end. The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken.” Isaiah 21:4-17

There are many contrasts throughout scripture. In this passage, the contrast is night and day.  There is light and there is darkness.  You will experience both, but you do not have to be afraid of either. You have to learn how to live through both.

The invitation we hear is to ask and come back yet again and again and again. There’s a daily dependence on God that we were designed for with how we were created. Are you seeking God throughout the day to hear what would be best for you to do next?

We can read right over a remarkable truth and not hear if we are not careful about how we listen. Do you see how God already has the answers and knows how events will unfold? He gives the exact number of days before those who do evil will no longer have influence. If God has the answers should we not continually be asking Him for a word then applying what He says to our life? 

“Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear…Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown…The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure…Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:3-46 

How do you respond to this parable? Who are you in this story and what is the state of your heart?  Have you allowed the evil one, the enemy of your life, to steal any of God’s words from you? Do you have a hard heart or good soil? The word good in this context is less about your performance and more about your posture. Are you teachable or coachable? Do you listen when God speaks? How have the worries of the world or wealth influenced your heart? What fruit are the words of Jesus producing in your life? 

Jesus tells of a time of judgment just like David sang about in his psalm. Do we believe Jesus is telling the truth? If so, why would we not all have ears to hear and hearts to respond. I certainly do not want to be suffering because I did not turn from my sin nor listen to the God who did everything to save me. This passage can easily create fear when we think about how we can fail, but it is meant to be a passage of hope.  

Solomon said keep your eyes on wisdom. Jesus said keep your focus on Me. Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy or let him steal your joy.  Look at the promise within these powerful words.  Jesus promises that He will produce an abundant crop with your life if you will listen and apply the word to your life. What an amazing promise! He promises you a meaningful, impactful life not because you are perfect or have super powers, but because His love is perfected in your weakness. It is His power at work within you that will produce the crop. 

He says blessed is the one who has ears to hear. This is not a metaphor. It is an invitation to a life devoted to continual prayer and practicing the presence of God by communing with Him all day long. Just like David, we are meant to daily, continually seek the Lord and listen to what He says. So take time to pause and practice listening, letting Jesus lead you to the life of love that you were made to live as you hear Him speak.