There's nothing so isolating as a situation where there's no one to hear you. But how irritating is it when someone is there but won't respond to your voice? In the same way you can't make someone listen to you, you can't raise your voice and get a response when no one's there to hear.

Two reasons are obvious for a none-response situation. Either no one can hear you or they won't hear you. While the first problem may be correctable, what about the second one? Can you "make" someone pay attention or force them to listen when they have a reason for ignoring you?

The people of Isaiah's time may have been frustrated because it seemed God was far off and didn't hear their prayer, but God was even more frustrated. His His people had ears to hear, but they either couldn't or wouldn't respond when He called.

What causes someone to close their ears? Most people believe prayer is an ever-open door where God sits and waits patiently to hear us. We believe He's ever eager to hear our distress and ready to sustain us. Psalms 66:18 tells us the only thing that closes God ears to our voice is when we cherish sin in our heart. We call that unconfessed sin and Scripture says we can have a righteous reason and even scream at the top of our voice but God simply won't listen.

But, what about us? Do you close your ears to God's voice? Sadly, we sometimes think we control the channel of communication to God. But isn't the Holy Spirit always knocking at our door trying desperately to get our attention to instruct and guide us? Then why do we act like no one's home?

When we're honest, we'll admit that prayer has probably become a one way street for us. We do it when we feel like doing it and not when God knocks to gain open communication with us. We speak and expect God to be understanding and forgiving; we ask and want an answer that fits our expectation; we express urgency and think God will adjust His timetable to suit our preference. Then when God does break through the shell of our self-sufficiency, we act like no one's home.

Before you think about criticizing the people of Isaiah's day for how they ignored God, maybe you need to confess your own sin of ignorance.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Is. 66:1-24 Ph. 3:4-21 Ps. 74:1-23 Pr. 24:15-16 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2004 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
All Rights Reserved