Devotions Archive Archive: 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 Search Archive Print This Article Open mind Friday, March 25, 2011 Isaiah 7:10-14 The Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying: "Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God. Let it be as deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!" But Ahaz answered, "I will NOT ask! I will not tempt the Lord." Then Isaiah said, "Listen, O house of David: is it not enough for you to weary people? Must you also weary my God?" King Ahaz does not seem interested in the language God speaks. Like the rest of us, he has an idea how God should sound. This offer, so generous and unconditional, apparently didn't fit with that idea. Even though Ahaz sounds spiritually strong, he is proud and defensive. His ears are shut. Isaiah's ears are far more important to him than his recently burned lips (Isaiah 6). God says all kinds of amazing things; and because he is listening, Isaiah is fast becoming able to share them wherever God sends him. If God's in charge, then I just can't be talking all the time. Jesus often headed into the mountains to pray, to be alone with God, say a little and listen a lot. And he consistently returned saying, "I only do what my Father is doing." What if God wants to give me more than I can imagine? I'd like to be ready. When he wants to assure me of his presence in manifest and magical ways, I don't want to turn up my nose. He loves me. It is very satisfying to be quiet and present with God. God as He chooses to be. Close my mouth, Lord, until I've opened my ears. "; Add      Edit    Delete