Psalm 51
Ezekiel 33:21-33
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Many of us have spent a lifetime of Sundays in church. We are soothed by the familiar format of the service: the favorite hymns, the recitation of prayers, the choir in their flowing robes, the pastor as he reads from familiar scripture, and the comfort of sharing the communion bread and wine. However, we leave church much as we have entered. Little has changed. We head off to our Sunday brunch, gather to watch the game, take a nap, and plan for the day ahead.
The prophet Ezekiel tell us that the people of Israel have entered the exile. His prophetic words have become truth. Ezekiel has become somewhat of a celebrity. Excitedly the people gather to hear what this gifted and inspired preacher will say. Ezekiel tells them that God has a message for them. "My people come to you [Ezekiel], as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice."
Paul tells Timothy much the same thing. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
David tell us that God does not want sacrifice simply for the sake of sacrifice. He wants broken hearts and contrite spirits. Hearts that are open to hear and obey his voice.
Does the Word of the Lord still have the power to move you? Is your daily life changed by hearing the Word? Or have you become one who loves the soothing sound of the beautifully crafted word that falls on the itching ear, but results in nothing?
