THE CHILDREN'S HEARING

Samuel, as a child, was ready to listen to the word of the Lord with the result that his own words always had an effect. When grown up he was called a prophet, which means that he spoke for the God who Himself had made the hearing ear to receive the words. Some of the messages were so solemn that persons hearing would have tingling ears. Scripture also speaks of heavy ears that were too lazy to listen and of an itching ear that would like to hear anything but the truth. But the Lord Jesus said that those whose ears listened to His words were "blessed", or happy.

When Peter and others saw the majesty of Jesus on the holy mountain they also heard the voice of the Father calling attention to His beloved Son and saying "Hear him". According to Matthew the next words said by Jesus were "Rise up". This is a great message for us as Christians. Those words are recorded as said by the Lord at least seven times - not only to disciples - but also to a paralysed man, a cleansed leper, a man with a withered hand and to the blind man Bartimaeus.

We sometimes forget that Solomon was only in his teens when he became king. In fact he said that he felt just like a little child when God told him to ask for whatever he would like as a gift. Most of us would think probably of riches, health or something similar just for ourselves. But it pleased God that he asked for 'a heart that hears' - so as to tell the good from the bad and to use his wisdom for the benefit of God's people. Thus not only faith, but also the knowledge of God Himself comes by hearing. Many other persons in the Bible showed their greatness by hiding and pondering things in their hearts and not just in their memories.

As in so many ways, the creation around us gives us an object lesson as to the danger of being deaf to the glad tidings. It is not known exactly how snakes hear but the psalmist wrote about a "deaf adder which stoppeth her ear". It is said that it put one ear in the sand, covering the other with its tail! It would thus not hear the charmer however sweetly he might pipe or play. David knew wicked persons like that who were willingly deaf to the choicest appeal of God's loving-kindness. Are you like one of those little reptiles?

 

J.C.Evershed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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