July 31

Jeremiah 5:20-6:30; 2 Kings 22:3-20; 2 Chronicles 34:8-28

We hear so many different sounds and words every day but many of them simply go in one ear and out the other. Today, we encounter three different ways we might respond to God's words when we hear them. The first possible response is to have “ears but do not hear” (Jeremiah 5:21) This is a common refrain throughout the Bible for those who hear but do not respond to what is being said. They might even be able to repeat the words that were said but they do not do anything about the information they heard. There is knowledge but no application. The second group are those who do not even hear the words of God. We see this when the law of the Lord was discovered in the temple and the people were not even aware of it. This would be true of people who do not read the Bible, listen to the Scriptures, or allow his truth to invade their lives. The third response is true of Josiah who we are told was responsive (2 Kings 22:19) to the law of the Lord. As soon as he hears from God he instantly responds with obedience and humility.

These responses are embodied in Jesus’ parable of the soils. Every type of soil has heard God’s word, but only one takes it, obeys it and bears fruit. May we be those people who hear and apply what God has said. May we be “responsive” to what he says and live transformed by it.

Father God, help me to hear and obey. Help me not to be merely a hearer of the word but a doer also. Amen. 

What keeps you from being responsive to God’s Word?

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