February 21, 2013 - Acts 28:28

            ‘“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!”’  Acts 28:28.

            Many in the crowd that assembled that day in Rome were very interested in learning what this new teaching from Paul was all about.  Paul had arranged with the Jewish leaders in the city to meet together in order for Paul to give his message of God’s salvation through Jesus of Nazareth.  At the meeting, Paul spoke that whole day, and when he was finished, many in the crowd were not interested in listening or learning about this new way.  They were not interested in following through with the changes in their lives that would be necessary, so they left.  Paul, in remembering his reception among the Gentiles, exclaimed that since the Jews no longer desired to learn about Jesus, he would turn to those who would listen and learn, and as a result would be willing to seek a change in their lives.  Paul confronted the Jews because they would not listen.

            There have been multiple times during each day when I have closed off the input coming into my brain via my ears.  I just stopped listening.  For instance, I usually tune out for many of the commercials on TV.  In more serious ways, I have been guilty of not listening to some messages being preached in some churches.  Truth be told, there have been times when, out of my personal reaction to some issues, I stopped listening to God, whether He was speaking through a person, circumstances, or a scripture.  I think that there have been times that, in my pride and arrogance, I thought that I didn’t have anything more to learn.  I thought that I had truly arrived!  Boy, what a delusion I was under!  Thankfully, God helped to keep me in line by giving me a glimpse of how much I don’t know.  I hope that I will continue to always be a learner, and in the process, I will continue to learn to listen for God’s voice speaking to me.

            Questions to consider: What are the marks of someone who listens well?  How about someone who is a continual learner?  Are you a listener and a learner?  What are the marks in your life that confirm your belief? 

            Prayer: Father, please give me an ear and a heart that is always attempting to listen and to learn from Your Spirit.  Forgive me for my pride, and for ever thinking that I have learned enough.  Help me to be a lifelong learner.  Amen.