When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: "‘Go to this people, and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive." For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears, they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."
The situation still exists today. There are those who have shut down any emotion, any spiritually directed portion of their sensory system. Their hearts have grown dull and they cannot, will not see with their eyes, or hear with their ears and they will not understand and will not allow healing. They are obstinate in their unbelief.
I need to have the Spirit directed discernment to turn to today's Gentiles, as Paul did. I need to search for those who are hungry to hear and who know that they need healing. I need to be willing to accept that I have planted a seed, now it is up to the Spirit to find someone to water and hoe.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 100
Mid-day: 119:57-64
Evening: Psalm 26
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"Voices Together" is available as an annual daily devotional and can be purchased at theFellowship Of Ailbe bookstore. A weekly edition, formatted as a bi-fold insert and suitable for distribution can be downloaded at https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/52-general-downloads. The next edition is available by Thursday of the prior week.
