- He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity. If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness. But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge. Job 36:10-12 – God makes clear to us His ways, it’s our choice what we do with what we hear from Him. Scripture is telling us that God makes ways for us to hear Him and His directions. Maybe it’s through time in His Word, or God speaks through someone in our life, or as scripture tells us even creation itself tells us of His greatness. God opens our ears for us to hear and the message is being given. What we do with it is on us. Do we follow Him? Do we go our own way? We see here even in these verses the end result of both, but do we believe we know better? If Christmas tells us anything it speaks of how clearly God wanted to speak to us and open our ears to hear His love and will for us. God has spoken to you through Jesus’ birth that what He wants is the best for you. Now that He is continuing to open your ears and continuing to speak to you, why would He desire anything different now than your good? Open your ears, listen to His Word, and seek to follow it with all you have. In that pursuit is the life you’ve been searching and longing for. Merry Christmas everyone! I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1488
- Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf. Job 36:2 – Elihu must have been able to tell his listeners were getting tired of his longwinded, wordy speech so he begs them to bear with him a little longer. When talking with people about God and about salvation, we must be willing to read the situation and not overload them with exhausting speeches. Spurgeon speaks to this idea, “All our wits should be set to work to put gospel teaching into such a form that it will be the better received. Assuredly, short and pointed addresses are more likely to reach the heart than long and dreary sermons.” While I realize the majority of readers of the devotions are not giving sermons, I long that the believers who are reading this are sharing the gospel with others. Be willing to speak what needs spoken and also be willing to be silent when words are no longer needed. Sometimes what can push people away from the Gospel is not the Word of God but all the words from us. Use all your “wit” to learn the Gospel message and to be able to share it with others clearly. God loves them, the sin in their life has eternally separated them from God, but God sent Jesus to take care of their sin by dying on the cross. Anyone who believes that Jesus rose from the dead, declares Him as Lord, and turns from their sin to follow Him instead will be saved. Go out now and share the good news with those who need to hear the good news. If there is more that you want to say, but would take away from the good news, ask yourself if it truly needs to be heard by them at that moment? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2661
Daily DEVO 