Anchor Devotional

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Ears to Hear

“He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 11:15

Seven gospel passages quote Jesus as saying these words. In some 50 more places throughout Scripture, the same is written by Old Testament prophets and in New Testament letters. “Are you really listening?” they ask.

I met a man who had suffered a stroke and could speak only haltingly. I wanted to let him know how badly I felt for his losses. But in his passionate, labored speech, he said, “It’s the best thing that could have happened to me!” I said, “Why is that?” And he answered, “Because it’s forced me to listen.” He was excited to learn and gain wisdom from people he might have overlooked or ignored in the past. He was forced to slow down and be still before the Lord. He pointed out that the Bible tells us many times, “He who has ears, let him hear.”

We all can listen. Yet how often we are like little children with “selective hearing,” paying attention only to what we want to hear. Let’s not miss the teaching in His Word written just for us. The way of life has been presented clearly in the Bible, God’s love letter to you and me. Listen!

SCRIPTURE FOCUS
Matthew 13:1-9

INSIGHT
Look and listen carefully; you may be able to discern where God is working miracles in your life.

THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Judges 18-19
Psalm 118
1 Corinthians 11

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