“Listen And Obey!”

“Listen And Obey!”(Prv.8:32-36)[26/12/2024].
Folk wisdom say “The fly that had no one to advise it followed the corpse into the grave.” Even so, sometimes there are people to advise a fly, but a heady fly may choose to ignore.
Heeding to advise requires “listening ears.” Listening is the least thing that majority people in every generation want to follow.
I have this local friend whose noted slogan is, ‘Don’t tell me what I know!” We learn nothing new if we talk more and listen less. But we gain new knowledge when we listen more and talk less. Sadly though, those who listen less are those who define the world through the lenses of their narrow environment.
Listening is crucial to obedience. Without listening to instructions or commands, we cannot obey.
On this second Christmas day, the selected five-verse pericope from the book of Proverbs mentions “listen” three times: “Now then my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.
My friend, we have celebrated the incarnation of God’s free grace, but like the small prints of any product, “terms and conditions apply.” Salvation has been offered freely, but we have to listen and obey. “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hare me love death.”
Listen, obey and you’ll find the LORD.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us listening ears and hearts willing to obey. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you! Merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy new year 2025.
Rev Babila Fochang.