March 14, 2025

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant— My loving devotion promised to David. Behold, I have made him a witness to the nations, a leader and commander of the peoples. Surely you will summon a nation you do not know, and nations who do not know you will run to you. For the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, has bestowed glory on you.” (Isaiah 55.3-5)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

God’s way and thoughts are simply revealed in verse 3: “incline your ear, come to Me and listen.” What is the consequence of such behavior? God speaks simply here at as well: your soul will live. Isn’t that enough for any of us? Or are we so busy trying to squeeze everything and anything into life that we have become insatiable? Yes, I said squeeze everything into life. People may believe that what they are doing is squeezing everything out of life. It comes in the wringing out of the heart, mind, body and soul that they find their vitality and identity. We have all washed dishes or cars by hand. What is the purpose of wringing out the wash rag? Is it not to relieve it of its content so that it can dry? Many times, we wring out those clothes to rid them of foreign substances. Is that what they are doing with their own lives? They do not want to be empty but full. If fullness is the goal, then squeezing in would be the preferred option instead of squeezing out. What is the problem with squeezing in? What room are we leaving for the substance that truly makes for life. Cramming in so much that we can barely contain it leaves no room for enjoyment. Isn’t gluttony a sin? I realize that may sound more like a catch-22 argument when we think of it from a faith perspective. But if we do not think of the “in/out” dynamic as we considered the “up/down” one, then we may well miss the truth of which God has spoken. There is so much in life that we have not experienced which God has intended for our fullness. When we see the world and seize it for our own purposes, then we find little satisfaction. However, when see the kingdom and are seized by it then we find our purpose in the world is not to be served but to serve. Didn’t Jesus say this about Himself: “For the Son of Man came into the world to serve and not to be served; to give His life for the ransom of many.” (Matthew 20.28; Mark 10.45; Luke 22.27; John 13.13) And from Jesus’ perspective, being full filled would lead to the fulfillment of what made for His true identity. He came to give life to the full. It comes when we, in the words given to Isaiah “incline your ear, come to Me and listen.”

Mighty ones of God in Christ Jesus, in this season of preparation to celebrate the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as a people, as the priesthood of all believers, we are challenged to be filled up so that we may be poured out. Filled up with the goodness of God. Poured out as a blessing to others. Here is where we benefit from God’s word with the simple instructions of discipleship. How are we filled up?

INCLINE OUR EAR: We lean into God. This is not recline where we lay down our heads, close our eyes and dream happy thoughts. This is not decline where we set ourselves in a downhill motion finding thrills in the speed of the wind pushing against us nor in refusing what is coming ahead of us. This is a purposeful effort to draw near to God and give credence to His Word alone. We do it so much it becomes a part of our default behavior. We practice it until we do it without thinking and are thus “inclined” toward God, God’s Word and His purposes.

COME TO ME: Not only are we “inclined” to orient ourselves toward God, God’s Word and His purposes, but we set ourselves in motion to draw near to Him. Jesus extends the call “to come and follow Me.” This does not mean that He is stationary and fixed. Jesus is like the wind that blows, an image used of the Holy Spirit. We cannot see it but we can experience it. The waves of His spiritual energy pass through the very fabric of our lives. Jesus will come to us. He is inclined to do so. But the true synergy of this spiritual relationship happens when we make the decision to “come” to Him, follow Him and walk in His paths of righteousness.

LISTEN: I have often spoken of the difference between listening and hearing. We may be given a hearing where there is acknowledgement that a noise is produced and sounds like words or some form of communication. Such “hearing” does not provide workable solutions and lead into paths of understanding which are the hallmarks and benchmarks of “one who listens.” Such “listening” is also the goal of the one who speaks in order to gain understanding, foster understanding and create solutions that are beneficial to all parties. Some may call this negotiation; although I have been a part of some of “those” negotiations which were no more than “hearing” with no intention of listening. God listens. Because God listens, and listens pre-emptively, there are already workable solutions awaiting implementation. Such implementations we may call deliverance. The greatest implementation is, of course, Jesus Christ. Those who incline their ear and are willing to engage honest dialogue knowing they will need to listen and not merely be heard will find their “come to Jesus” meeting satisfying and leading to eternal life.

It is in the formula of faith that we are able to gain a soul that will live beyond the grave in a place that is good and beneficial. This is the promise of God to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David and to us.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness which we know is folly but righteous works which declare Your glory and further witness the truth that can set all who believe free from death. So may we live by the name of Jesus our Christ. AMEN.