Listening

Are you listening to God or to the world?

“I spoke to you in your prosperity; but you said, ‘I will not listen!’”—Jeremiah 22:21 NASB

God had blessed and prospered His people. Yet instead of praising Him, many forgot Him. Instead of thanking Him, they took Him for granted. Instead of obeying Him, many turned their backs and ignored His Word. Instead of listening when He tried to speak, correct, and warn them, they followed the nations around them. Then they wondered why they had so many problems.

God knows what happened to these people and to many others throughout history. He saw how they were blinded by their prosperity—how they forgot Him and refused to listen. They had become so secure and comfortable that they stopped seeking Him. They had even turned away from Him and gone their own way.

Today, God stands ready to bless us. But He also knows that prosperity can impact us in negative ways. Unless we are mature and ready, prosperity might encourage us to forget about Him as so many others have done.

Are you ready to hear God’s voice? Are you taking time to listen to Him? Are you open to the direction of His Spirit? Pause your schedule and spend quality time with Him!

Surrender every area of your life to the Lordship of Jesus. Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and let Him lead you. Listen to what He is saying to you, and do not let anything get in the way. Make sure you are ready, so God can bless you!

Reflection Question: What has happened when you’ve been enticed by wealth?