Do You Have An Ear To Hear?

 

Someone has said that the society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity, will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. The idea here is that neither the pipes nor the theories will hold water. Humility is not as popular with people as it used to be. The post-modern era is marked with people who are pushing their way to the top. Folks want recognition, fame, and money. They want to be petted, placated, and appreciated. So, it seems as though few people like the humble roles in life. 

Jesus told His disciples the humble servant was really the greatest among them (Matthew 20:27; 23:11). We have heard, pride goes before a fall. Proverbs 18:12 reads, “Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, And before honor is humility.” We have also read that, “…God resists the proud. But gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34). We should understand that humility is an important part of success. Humility does not need a pat on the back. Humility does not need its name to be called. Humility knows that in doing something that is right, the very doing of it is enough. Humility carries on even when nobody else knows or cares. 

George Washington Carver, the scientist who developed hundreds of useful products from the peanut, once noted (tongue in cheek): “When I was young, I said to God, ‘God, tell me the mystery of the universe.’ But God answered, ‘That knowledge is reserved for Me alone.’ So, I said, ‘God, tell me the mystery of the peanut.’ Then God said, ‘Well, George, that’s more your size.’ And He told me.” There are many things we will never know in this life. There are many things we will never be in this life. But being created in the image of God and having the grace of God in our life is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).

[Hebrews 1:1-2] God has spoken but is not always heard. Apparently, some people are missing an ear or two. “He who has ears, let him hear,” or some similar saying appears frequently in Scripture. The prophet Ezekiel may have introduced us to that phrase (Ezekiel 3:27), however, it was Jesus who polarized it. Jesus liked to apply that phrase to teaching he did by parables (Matthew 13:9, 43). He used it regarding the understanding of prophesy (Matthew 11:14-15). He spoke that phrase to each of the seven churches of Asia in His short sermons to them (Revelation 2-3). Jesus could reattach the missing ear of the soldier who lost his ear to a swing of a sword when he came to arrest Jesus (Luke 22:50-51). However, not all missing ears have been physically cut off. * An ear can be missing because of distraction. If a radio is playing and I have a book in my hand, I can listen to the radio or read the book – but not both, and vise-versa. The words on a book can be scanned but not comprehended if one’s attention is on the radio. When it comes to hearing Jesus, many people are missing ears in that He never gets their full attention. We must tune out distracting noises to hear Jesus. * An ear can be missing because of decision. It is said that a spouse or children only hear what they want to hear. We all develop selective hearing over the years. “Supper is ready!” is more easily heard than, “Take out the trash.” Many people are missing an ear because they have simply decided to not listen. * An ear can be missing because of distance. Jesus came all the way from Heaven to Earth so that He could be more easily heard. He bridged the distance between yourself and the Word of God. Many people are missing an ear that they have withdrawn into themselves, widening the gap, and making the message of salvation so faint it cannot be heard. God has spoken. Humble yourself and lend an ear to God’s message of love and saving grace.