Isaiah 42:20 Not Paying Attention

You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen. Isaiah 42:20

God was talking to the Israelites when He made this statement. They had seen God do many miracles, they had heard the law read to them time and time again, and they heard what the prophets were saying. They knew what God wanted, yet they still rejected Him and chose to follow idols instead. The Israelites were unwilling to really see what was happening or hear what was being said.

It is very easy for a person to see what is happening and not really see what is happening. They will only see on the surface or they will ignore the signs. How many people drive down the road and ignore some of the signs? The speed limit is lowered with signs telling the driver to slow down, yet he does not slow down. Suddenly he is stopped by the police and given a ticket for speeding, all because he did not pay attention to the signs in front of him.

Many believers go to church every Sunday morning and hear the pastor preach God’s word to them. They hear the words of God, but are not really listening. As they sit in the chair ‘listening’ they are thinking about going fishing or shopping,  or the meal that day. When the service gets out, many will say it was a great sermon, but very few can tell what it was really about. They were listening without hearing.

God is speaking and doing things all the time. You must be willing to see and hear what He is up to. Jesus spoke of many signs of the times. As you go through life are you seeing those signs?

Those signs may be that a person is ready to hear about Jesus; or not to go down a path that is one of destruction; or maybe a warning of persecution about to come. God will not leave you in the dark, if you are willing to watch and listen. He will show you great things, but you must be willing to see them. He will tell you great things, but you must be willing to hear them.

Are you really listening?

Are you really seeing?

I pray today that you will have your spiritual eyes and ears open to what God is showing and saying; that you will be aware of what is happening around you in the spiritual realm; and that you will pay attention to what God is saying and doing in and around you.