Listen

LISTEN

Listen. Can you hear all the endless chatter of man? Speeches and conventions and interviews swirl around. And men take all kinds of stands and claim they have the answers. Men and women are like that. We would rather pretend we know than admit that we don’t. Words, words, and more words. Lies, distortions, exaggerations, and carefully worded statements designed to avoid certain truths and magnify other truths. Yes, truth is a patient who has been dying for centuries. But truth has been dead for some time now.

Listen. Fallen man runs to and fro in a vain attempt to fix things. And by his own words he seeks to enlist others to support his plan. His promises are many, and there is nothing to which he will not promise. Great and swelling words attract some and repel others, but still he speaks. Many words attached to many other words. There is no shortage of words.

Listen. The carousel of communication draws millions of itching ears just waiting to be scratched. And these are masters of how to scratch just where men believe they itch. Applause comes in waves and some words bring crowds to their feet. Some words elicit tears while others bring anger and still other invite mocking. Words go out seeking whoever will receive them and when they find such ears and hearts these words begin to work their work.

Listen. Many words are masterfully spoken and many major in superlatives. The promises are adorned by words that engender trust. The words spoken come as manipulated wind but find destinations which draw people to their authors. These authors have less than perfect track records and their former words lack the credentials to support the validity of their new born siblings.

Listen. Millions of ears lend themselves to words they have heard before but have forgotten the disappointment that came with those same words. They may be given in a different order and through different lips, but they are the same words nonetheless. It is a exercise in redundancy. It is a continuing cycle which displays a great amount of certainty. But the results always belie the certainty that was once spoken with great zest.

Listen. The cauldron of men’s words continues to be mixed with microphones and platforms and large screens and wonderfully orchestrated events. The attention to detail surrounding the words of men is stunning, but that same attention to their future veracity seems painfully absent. And yet the ears of men and women are bent toward those words and those words are grasped as truth.

Listen. Words, words, and more words.

But listen. The Creator continues to speak. His Words do not change, and His promises are sure. His spoken revelations are food for the soul and sustenance to the bone. Those Words have redeemed us by leading us to Christ. These are the Words which continue to point us all to Him. How many ears incline to His Words? Let it be known you cannot listen to the words of men and simultaneously listen to the Words of God. Sometimes they many even sound similar, but they are not.

But listen. Jesus has spoken all things true. Everything He has said has either already been accomplished or is in the process of a final revelation. The words of men are nothing but the jingle-jangle morning of another day, but His words are eternal words of spirit. One day the dove will return with an olive branch and the prince of Peace will sit upon His throne.

But listen. Are you in the Ark or are you still listening to the words of men? Turn away and turn to Christ and Christ alone. This is no game, and the stakes are eternal. Incline your ears to the Word of the Living God for in them you will find life and life everlasting.