Jeremiah 22:21 “I warned you when you felt secure,
but you said, ‘I will not listen!’
This has been your way from your youth;
you have not obeyed me.”

God speaks to everyone at various times in various ways, but all too often we refuse to listen. As the Old Testament records in sometimes depressing detail, the better things are going for us, as we see it, the less likely we are to recognize our need for God. Moses warned the Israelites about this strongly, (Deuteronomy 6:10-12; 8:6-20) but even so they repeated the pattern again and again of ignoring God until they were in trouble, crying out to Him and returning to Him, and then as things got better, ignoring Him again. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:11, the Old Testament record is there as an example for us, both of what to do and what not to do. However, we have quite a track record of not paying attention! America right now is in the middle of that, having pushed God out of the marketplace and out of government to an astonishing degree. The question now is simply whether there will be genuine repentance or not. There are signs both directions, but each believer needs to examine himself to see how well he has focused on listening obediently to God, not running around accusing others of being worse, but repenting of lapses and walking in personal faithfulness. Only then is there real hope for America.

I have become increasingly aware of the degradation of America in recent years, both from increased information flow because of the Internet and because, frankly, America’s slide into the pit has really picked up speed. The thing is, I have been oblivious for far too long, being titillated by the tricks of the devil along with everyone else. I must stand firm in my own obedience, warning others and standing as an example that faithfulness is even possible. I think a lot of people have given up! Jesus spoke many times about “hearing ears,” both during His earthly ministry and as He gave John the messages for the seven churches in Revelation. Spiritual ears are a gracious gift from God, but they are also a choice, and must be used to be effective. If I ignore what I hear God saying to me now, I will be less likely to hear Him the next time.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You allow in my life to keep me aware of my need for You. I tell others that we can’t even take a single breath apart from Your gracious support, yet all too often I act like I’ve forgotten that. Help me indeed listen obediently and not be rebellious, for my own sake and for the sake of those to whom I minister, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!