“For the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes, otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them.”
— Matthew 13:15
When He walked the earth, Jesus was surrounded by a spiritually blind people who did what they had always done and thus reaped what they had always reaped.
He was surrounded by an oppressed people who thoughtlessly followed the ways of their society. Most would never look up to seek the divine revelation and life Jesus came to give. May God gift us today with a hunger and thirst that drive us to look for more than what we have always received!
During our mission trips to Africa, people in very remote areas who have never heard the gospel of Jesus stop their daily activities and walk many miles to attend the crusade festivals we lead. Setting aside their comfort and normal routines, they desperately seek to find what their hearts and souls need most—the God of life and hope. Thousands of people accept Jesus as their Savior at these meetings. Many are supernaturally healed, and all are touched by the living, eternal God who reaches down to change the lives of His people.
Like these precious souls, won’t you cease your striving today? Look up and talk to your almighty Creator and Savior. Storm the gates of heaven in prayer and ask Father to let heaven come down into your daily life. When you do this, you can expect God to respond. You can expect to hear from Him. You can expect to experience His supernatural presence and power. Through the blood of Jesus all things are possible.
Lord, may my heart never become dull. I ask You to gift me with a hunger and thirst for You that makes me seek You as a deer pants after water. Give me ears that hear, eyes that see, and a heart that chases hard after You. I look to You, Father. You alone can fill the longings of my heart. You alone can bring the change I seek. Lord, I release my striving to You. Let heaven come and invade every aspect of my day. Come and supernaturally move the mountains in my life. I put my trust in You, Father, because You have everything I need.
Cynthia Schneider, From Passover to Pentecost (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2021), Used by permission.
