Acts 10:33 “Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Probably every preacher dreams of having a congregation with this attitude! It’s no wonder that they received the Holy Spirit while Peter was still talking! This is a perfect example of what Jesus was talking about when He said repeatedly, “He who has ears, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:15 and several more) Our heart attitude often governs what we receive from God. Any preacher will testify of some people leaving a service blessed and encouraged, and others essentially unmoved, or angry and critical, and all from the same service, with the same music, order of worship, and sermon! The same is certainly true of morning devotions. Reading the same passage of Scripture, some people will be bored to tears and others will be mightily blessed, receiving strength and direction for their life. It’s all a matter of heart attitude. Cornelius had a right heart attitude toward God in the first place, which is why God sent an angel to tell him to send for Peter to tell him the Gospel. The angelic visitation certainly increased his anticipation, and I’m sure it had a lot to do with the other members of his household joining him in anticipation, but his attitude was right even before any of this happened. If we really want to hear from God, we will, because He responds to that. However, all too often we may think we want to hear from God, but what we really want is for Him to rubber stamp what we have already decided we want to happen. That attitude closes our ears to God, rather than opening them. Hearing ears are both humble and trusting, knowing that God is faithful and good.

I’ve never had much trouble believing that God was good, but I’ve had some real trouble with the humility part of this! I couldn’t begin to count how many times I’ve decided how things ought to be and presented my list of demands to God. That’s no way to hear from Him! However, my experience of morning devotional times has been so rich, and really so consistent, that it is really the most important part of my day. I can read a passage and feel nothing, yet when I start writing what I think God is saying through it, He unfolds it in my heart and I am greatly blessed. It is a mystery to me why so few people seem to believe that God really wants to speak to them daily, personally. We don’t understand the depth and breadth of His love for us, and so we don’t open our hearts to receive it. I cannot get that truth across to people in my own wisdom and strength, so I need to be on my face before the Lord for Him to do it by His Spirit, keeping myself available for however He wants to use me in the process.

Father, people want to know why and how I am so dedicated to communicating the good news of Your kingdom, but they would be equally or more dedicated if they had tasted You as I have. Psalm 34:8 is the cry of my heart: “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” I pray that You would give every person in this congregation, for starters, a taste of You that will leave them so hungry for more that You will become the controlling passion of their lives, as You have of mine, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!