to whom would you liken Me,
to whom would you make me equal?
remember this and be assured
remember the former things long past
for I am God, and there is no other;
I am God is there is no one like Me...
who declares the end from the beginning
and from ancient times things which have not been done.
"My purpose will be established
and I will accomplish all My good pleasure."
calling a bird of prey from the east,
the man of My purpose from a far country
truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely will I do it.
Listen to me! Listen to me! Listen to me!
you stubborn minded, who are far from righteousness!"
Isaiah 46
LISTEN TO ME! what a plea...a plea, a begging of a holy, righteous God to a people who were His chosen people. a people who were to carry His name and who were to live in His Lordship...or in knowledge and recognition of His Lordship (for He was their Lord whether they acknowledged Him or not)! when they were not in accordance with what God had intended...His rebuke was, "because they did not listen..." because they did not listen, battles lost. because they did not listen, enemies increased. because they did not listen, temple destroyed. because they did not listen, captivity to babylon...and so it goes.
i am about to admit something that i am not proud of to say the least...i am not the best listener. i pray that i have gotten better and believe that by God's grace i truly have. better at listening to people without always getting my opinion or my story in. i hate it when people do it to me. my hate increases when i realize myself doing it to others. so i know not many read this. however to those who do...sorry for times when i did not listen. forgive the pride of my heart and i beg for you to pray with me for my ears to be keen, sensitive, eager to hear! more than anything, how i am sorry for the times that i did not listen to my Lord, my King, my Husband! to recount my life and the times that i ignored the Truth, the WORD, of the One whose I am is sickening. praise God that satan does not have final victory over the deceit that i once thought was Truth!
one of my dearest friends challenged me with the question...well what causes us not to listen? what is it that continues to seep in the history of israel and causes them to be deeply decieved on what Truth truly is? the Lord gave me this verse in reply. james 1:21...the end of it..."in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls!" oh my goodness the power of words. words to each other, yes, but the Holy Word of our Mighty God! there is a reason for the analogy of a sword. it is the Word of God that as this verse states is "able to save our souls"! it is this Word that God calls us to LISTEN to. how important the Word needs to become in my life constantly. yes God revealed to me the beauty and the demand of His Word here. but He also brought to light on how to receive it. how to listen to it. how to not be deafened by deceit and twisted truth. receive it with HUMILITY! oh the cancer of pride in my life. it is what chokes my desire to listen. pride is what causes me to declare my own truth and turn ear to it!
cultivate humility within me.
kill all pride in my heart
with the penetrating Sword of Your Word
give me ears to hear
to discern
give me Your Truth alone
teach me to listen
for You alone are God
there truly is no one like You
it is You who declares Truth
satisfy my soul
AMEN!
