Listen

(Proverbs 1:23 KJV)  Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

As I read this today another verse was brought to mind.

(2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

The common theme that I saw was that God will try to speak to us and if we listen He will bring forgiveness and renewal.  This is a perpetual promise but it requires a couple of things.

First we need to listen and acknowledge what God is saying.  This is hard when the issue is “reproof” (8433b).  We don’t like correction.  When people speak to me critically my first reaction is denial and anger.  I might later reflect and grow but not initially.  I am working on that.  I am trying to listen and cut through what their agenda might be and find what I need to hear.

The second is just as hard.  We need to change.  Notice in Chronicles we are to turn from our wicked ways.  We can’t go on doing the same and expect the forgiveness to keep flowing.

So?  God is speaking.  Sometimes through His written word.  It might have been through the sermon on Sunday.  It might have been from your wife five minutes ago.  Listen and respond.