Scripture

Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 18:12, ” But the man said to Joab, ‘Though I were to receive a thousand shekels of silver, I would not raise my hand against the king’s son. For in our hearing the king commanded you and Abishai and Ittai, ” For my sake protect the young man Absalom. “

Background

Living with someone who suffers from hearing loss can be, well, interesting. At times it is irritating to have just finished sharing something important, only to realize that most or all of what was said was completely missed, and I must say it all over again. But even as I sigh with exasperation, I know that my frustration pales in comparison to theirs, as they go through life hearing parts of conversations and missing much of what you and I take for granted. Sadly, this realization doesn’t always enable me to be completely patient and understanding. On the flip side, sometimes the miscommunication sets the table for some funny moments. ” It’s not raining as hard as I thought ” can become ” I’m not training the cards that you bought, ” as each of us in the room looks around with that puzzled expression. ” Do you know where my shoes are ” can get answered ” No, I don’t know what shamus are. ” It’s a delicate balance between comedy and tragedy. Unfortunately, there are many of us who cannot blame our stapes or our cochlea or our vestibular nerve for the ways in which we fail to hear certain things. And that is because we hear things with more than just our ears. We hear things with our heart. We hear things with our emotions. We hear things with our past. In many ways, the ears are only the beginning for how we process and react to what ultimately reaches our brain.

Application

Two people in a conversation, or two hundred people in a sanctuary, can hear the same words. But not one will hear exactly the same message. And why is that? Why is one challenged and encouraged where another is offended or slighted? Why does one leave excited while others exit unaffected? It usually has nothing to do with their ears. Three men, and an entire army, heard King David’s instructions regarding Absalom. Why then did Joab go and bury three spears in Absalom’s heart? I don’t fully know his reasons, but I could guess it had nothing to do with his hearing. What are you doing with and to the words that you are hearing?

Charge

As we seek Him today, confess where you are biased, bent or broken. Ask God to heal the parts of you that are much more important than your ears.  

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words