God gives grace to the humble–but He rejects the proud. We all know this–but today, I was reminded that Christ often added this little statement to some of His most meaningful words: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Why do people who have ears not hear? The Psalmist says something very interesting in Psalm 40:6: “…but you have given me an open ear…” In context, the Psalmist is seeking to align himself with those who make God their trust, who do not turn to the proud, who see God like no one else, and are not externally giving of themselves to “religious activities.” Yet, it is God who opens the ear–this is truly gracious of God to open the ears of those who love Him alone.
I wonder then, how much do I really miss hearing God because my ears are so closed to him and filled with other things–even religious things that are as big as burnt offerings and sacrifices. Over time, the goodness and grace of God is not what marks my life–it is burnt offerings and sacrifices that gives a deafening sound to all around me. Grace isn’t flowing; self-righteousness is. Our churches are filled with people like me. Consequently, there is very little hearing of God and the aroma of Christ and the grace of God is quiet. So we resort to manufactured burnt offerings and sacrifices and just “do church.” Grace doesn’t flow–not because God is on break or taking a nap, but because we are not making Him our trust.
Trust in the Lord! Pursue His great grace today and let your heart and mind and soul be filled with all the fullness of Him. Let those of us who have ears, let us hear!
Grace is Flowing 
This reminds me of my devotion of several days ago from Ps. 16 where David says in verse 1 “Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You”. Taking refuge in God in this context is putting trust in Him. I have been learning to do this or should I say the Lord has been teaching me to do this more. Actually, its becoming quite necessary to trust in God totally for everything these days–and in so many ways it seems to make life just a little easier. God wants us to reverently put our trust in Him.
I don’t know why we have ears and do not hear. I do try to listen but often times I do not hear. But what I’m sadly finding in my studies are those that do have ears are listening and hearing the wrong things–they actually have itching ears that cannot endure sound doctrine–this has caused a decadence in some of our churches today. Verse 4 of this Psalm says “The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied”…; It is sad that there are those that have ‘bought’ into our worldly market system in hopes of finding success. Verse 5 says: “The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot”. God spare us from becoming victim’s of this worldly system.
May we say as David in verse 7 “I will bless the Lord who has counseled me; Indeed my mind instructs me in the night”. May those of us who have ears, let us hear!
Great comments, Gary! How true for all of us! May we be instructed and hear what God is speaking to us!
Grace to you!
Thanks Eric. I really needed that encouragement today. How true!