The Heart That Hears God

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

Once, I had the pleasure of playing UNO with a room full of boys ages 8 to 11. During a lunch break, one of the boys pulled all the wildcards out of the deck and planned to use them on his friends. I said, “It looks like you are going to have some fun when the boys return.” He laughed. I told him that God put a conscience within each of us to help us know right from wrong. I also told him that if we ignore it and do what is wrong, it becomes hardened and we can no longer hear God. His eyes widened, and he returned the cards to the deck faster than a blink. 

It Is Written

MATTHEW 13:15-17  For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

HEBREWS 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

His Part and Our Part

God has written His law on our minds and hearts. It’s our choice whether to obey it. Deuteronomy 28 contains promises of extravagant blessings for obedience to Him and His word, along with a list of consequences for disobedience. We do not have to look very closely at our world to see the consequences of our choices unfolding.

Prayer

Lord, just as Daniel prayed in chapter 9, “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land.”

“Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. 

 ¹³ Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your truth. ¹⁴ The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything he does; yet we have not obeyed him.

¹⁷ “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. ¹⁸ Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. ¹⁹ Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.”

Takeaway

He blesses those who are obedient to His Word.