READING: Isaiah 59-61, 2 Thessalonians 3
“. . . your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.”
Isaiah 59:2
Yesterday, the devotion focused on the importance of prayer. Today’s devotion focuses on the same topic, but from another direction. In Isaiah’s day, some of the rebellious people of God were apparently wondering why God was not delivering them. They were going through religious motions, but still God had not responded to them. The problem was not, though, that God could not save them. In fact, Isaiah said it clearly, “Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear” (Isa. 59:1). No, God’s power was not weakened. His ability to hear prayers had not changed. He was still the same God, and He was not the problem.
Rather, the problem was the people: “but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isa. 59:2). That’s what sin does – it separates us from a holy God and leads to His choosing not to listen to our prayers. It was not, however, that God could not hear; it was that He chose not to listen. As one writer put it, “Judah’s iniquity and sin caused God to turn away from them. The sin barrier prevented him from hearing their prayers.”*
This reality ought to cause us to reflect deeply on our sin and our prayer. When it seems our prayers are getting nowhere, we must first examine our heart. It’s possible that God has some other reason for delaying His response, but it’s also possible—if not likely—that our sin is the cause. Thus, whatever “fun” we get from sin also results in closed ears in heaven if we choose not to repent in brokenness. God simply doesn’t listen to unrepentant people.
My sin separates me from my Creator and results in His not listening to my prayers. The pleasure of sin is simply not worth that result.
ACTION STEPS:
- Examine your heart to see if any sin blocks your prayer channel today. If so, confess it.
- Pray for at least two people who are living a life of unrepentance.
PRAYER: “God, cleanse me. Hear me today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Isaiah 52-64, 1 Timothy 1
*Smith, J. E. (1992). The Major Prophets (Is 58:13–14). Joplin, MO: College Press.
