Devotional by Brian Chilton
Jesus said, “You will indeed hear but never understand,
and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
and with their ears they can barely hear,
and their eyes they have closed,
lest they should see with their eyes
and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart
and turn, and I would heal them.’
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. 17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it” (Matt. 13:14b-17, ESV).
On February 23, 1975, a tragic event took place near our area. The Siloam Bridge on Siloam Road collapsed killing four people and injuring 16. At a former church, a congregant gave me his eyewitness recollection of the event. He said that he heard the bridge collapse and could see it from his house. A person had accidently struck a timber of the bridge which caused its fall at around 9:25. The eyewitness noticed headlights shining out of the water. He tried to warn passersby of the imminent danger, but no one could see him due to the fog and the speed in which they were traveling. Car after car went down the embankment into the Yadkin River.
When asked about his use of parables, Jesus noted that God opens the eyes and ears of the willing to show them the truth and the right path in which they should travel. The psalmist prays, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps. 119:105). Our world is much like the fog of 1975. In a world full of toxic jargon and political dividedness, it is easy for us to become overwhelmed with the fog and left not knowing which way to turn. Yet, God provides us with the direction and insight that we need to face any uncertainty that may come our way. Depend on his light and direction as he will steer you to safety and away from collapse.