Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
….May your glory shine over all the earth. Psalm 108:5 NLT
Acts 22:3-23 (<<click here to read the passage)
You may have heard this one before but hopefully, it will still bring a smile to your face.
An elderly gentleman had serious hearing problems for several years. He went to his doctor and the doctor was able to have him fitted for a set of hearing aids that allowed the gentleman to hear better than he had in years!
A month later, he went back to the doctor and the doctor said, “Your hearing is great! Your family must be really pleased that you can hear again.” The gentleman replied, “Oh, I haven`t told my family yet. I just sit around and listen to the conversations… I’ve changed my will three times!”
This was definitely a case of selective hearing!
In this little story, it is humorous but in our relationship with God, it is detrimental.
As we continue with Paul’s story in Acts 22, Paul speaks into the greater deep silence. For 19 verses (verses 3-21) everyone listens attentively. This thing is, there is nothing for those around him to object to…until the very last word in verse 21.
Verse 22 begins with, “The crowd listened until Paul said that word.” They were good with it all…until the word “Gentile” flew past his lips to their listening ears.
At that point, the corruption in their hearts filled the air! Their rage led to shouting and throwing off their coats [getting ready to stone Paul] and tossing dust into the air [expressing their anger]…v23
Jesus spoke truly as is recorded in Matthew 15:18,
But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. NLT
They thought they knew God. They thought they were in good standing with Him. But, sadly, no… Their selective hearing allowed them to accept what they would accept but Paul crossed the line into God’s heart, and that was a line they refused to even think about crossing.
It should not have repulsed them so, for Isaiah, referencing the Suffering Servant (the coming Jesus Christ Himself), proclaimed,
“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.
….I will make you a light to the Gentiles,
….and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 NLT
Lord Jesus, may we open our hearts and minds to You! May no lines be drawn in our relationship with You, but may we be open to whatever directives You may give us. May the light You shine in the world illumine us to Your will as well! Amen.
July 26th, 2022, Tues, 9:31 pm
