Tuesday, August 12th

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Ten Minutes with God Tuesday, August 12th: “Understanding”

“As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up… When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.” (Matt. 13:4, 19)

If we have learned to come with an open mind, and an open heart, and we have come with anticipation that God is going to speak, and yet, we receive nothing, our problem may not be one of desire, but rather, understanding. Have you trained yourself to listen and to know the voice of God? Jesus said, “his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Are we aware when God is trying to get our attention? Can we pick out his voice above our own desires, or the lies that are thrown at us from the world? Do we know when he is gently “nudging” us, or giving us his compassion for the Lost? Are we able to receive direction through the guidance of his Holy Spirit?

For quite possibly the first time in their lives, the Israelites, after gathering to hear the Law read, understood the Word of the Lord.

“The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people understood what was being read.”

After hearing the Words of the Lord, the people waited from daybreak until noon so that they may receive understanding. How desperate are we for understanding? Are we willing, like the people of Israel, to wait upon the Lord to receive insight and understanding?

In Proverbs chapter 2 Solomon exhorts his children to seek understanding above all other things, to seek it out as if looking for Silver, to search for it as if looking for treasure.

May this be our desire.
Pastor Jonathan Goble