Jeremiah 29:19 For they have not listened to my words,” declares the Lord, “words that I sent to them again and again by my servants the prophets. And you exiles have not listened either,” declares the Lord.
We all want to be heard. And sometimes, just feeling like you are heard, truly heard, can be life-changing. And in the realm of not listening to God’s words, I expect we all at one time or another are guilty of not listening. I know I am. God has given us the ability to edify each other, to build each other up. Listening, truly listening is one of the ways we can do that.
Jeremiah 29:20 Therefore, hear the word of the Lord, all you exiles whom I have sent away from Jerusalem to Babylon.
David Joy, an Appalachian writer, once said, “Sometimes the greatest gift we can give someone is just to keep our mouths shut and let them empty themselves into our hands. When they’re finished, we don’t need to do anything with what they’ve given us. We just need to show them that we’re holding it for them till they can catch their breath.” This is the gift of listening.
Jeremiah 29:21 This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says about Ahab son of Kolaiah and Zedekiah son of Maaseiah, who are prophesying lies to you in my name: “I will deliver them into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he will put them to death before your very eyes.
Precious Savior, Thank You for the ability to listen–to You and to each other. Forgive me for the many times I’ve squandered that opportunity. Help me to read, to hear, to listen to Your words and Your wisdom. Help me to use my ability to listen as a healing gift for others. Always. Amen.
Jeremiah 29:22 Because of them, all the exiles from Judah who are in Babylon will use this curse: ‘May the Lord treat you like Zedekiah and Ahab, whom the king of Babylon burned in the fire.’
Have a blessed day.