“This is what the LORD says: Stand in the courtyard of the LORD’s house and speak to all the people of the towns of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD. Tell them everything I command you; do not omit a word.

Perhaps they will listen and each will turn from their evil ways. Then I will relent and not inflict on them the disaster I was planning because of the evil they have done."

Jeremiah 26:2-3, NIV

I was five years old when the incident happened. It involved a tri-cycle, a concrete driveway, and a naughty little boy who didn't always listen to  his Mom.

While I don't remember all of the details (this happened over a half century ago), I do remember that another kid and I were playing "toll bridge" where we would stand up on our trikes and reach for a latch on our shed to "pay the toll". And I did pay the toll, for the trike went out from under me and I hit the concrete with such force that it broke my wrist in two places and my arm near the elbow. Now, I suppose I knew that I wasn't to stand on my trike, my parents were always telling something to the effect that I should be more careful and pay better attention, but at five years old there were some lessons you just had to learn on your own by paying the toll.

I have since noted that there is nearly always a toll to be paid for not listening. Perhaps you have had similar observations from your own life.

This was certainly true of the Israelites. Though God would warn them over and over not to engage in certain behavior, it seems that they rarely listened. Like five year old children, they were certain that they were missing out on life by listening to the stodgy old prophets that God would send to them and, as a result, they often had a toll to pay for their lack of attention and because of their disobedience to God.

Some things never change, I suppose, but as we get older we really should know better. As I grew in years after that tri-cycle accident I was able to observe that if I would just listen to my parents, not as many bad things would happen. Further, as I matured, it began to dawn on me that my parents were not telling me things that I didn't want to hear out of some sort of meanness, but out of a genuine concern for my welfare because they loved me. And, as I have read my Bible more and more and have actually paid attention to the things that God has told me, I have realized that it is the same with Him. He tells us the things we need to know because He loves us!

Are we listening?

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13, ESV

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