Preventing Build-Up

ZECHARIAH 7:11 - 14

11 But they refused to pay attention and turned a stubborn shoulder and stopped their ears that they might not hear. 12 They made their hearts diamond-hard lest they should hear the law and the words that the LORD of hosts had sent by his Spirit through the former prophets. Therefore great anger came from the LORD of hosts. 13 As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear,” says the LORD of hosts, 14 “and I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.”

Hard hearts, soft hearts. I like how this is stated in verse 12: They made their hearts diamond-hard. The people made their hearts as hard as diamonds--impenetrable. Nothing got through. God called to them, encouraged them, wooed them, but they would not listen.

I'll admit...I find listening for God a difficult part of the call. Listening is difficult in any relationship. How often do I tune out my husband because I'm sure he's telling me something I already know. How often do I break into someone's conversation to add my opinion...because after all, I do have something valuable to add--something they need to hear.

Listening is difficult. With evangelism as our topic for this month's sermons, we'll learn that listening is a key part of our interactions w/people. How can we know that the time is right to share our faith if we aren't listening for cues that a person is ready to hear what we have to say?

But it all begins with listening to God. And that is even more difficult because we aren't face-to-face. We have to trust that what comes into the heart is from God. That means I have to know God...I have to know His character. I have to know that whatever I believe comes from Him is true to His character. And then knowing that He is patient, kind, loving...I can trust any direction that calls me to take to be the same.

I also have to recognize that sometimes I "decide" that something has come from God, when I know it is my own will. I have to be honest with myself because I do know my own character. I need to sort my own selfish will from the will of God. I need to make the difficult choice of putting aside my wants and needs (usually the need to be right). Each time I choose my own way and not God's, my heart will callous, toughen, turn diamond-hard. Because I allow the buil-up, it becomes more difficult for God's word to enter and transform me.

Father God, I want the soft heart that listens for and accepts your word of counsel and correction. Please keep me from hardening this heart against you. Keep me honest with myself, judging my own motives and actions against your righteousness. Thank you, Father. Amen.

 

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