June 29, 2024 -- Matthew 13:16-17 -- Conquering the soul gripped by ennui (spiritual boredom)

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.
Matthew 13:16-17 ESV

Growing up in South-West Ontario meant that whenever family from the Netherlands came to visit, we’d have to go to Niagara Falls. At first , when we were young, we’d be amazed and really expected to go. By my teen-age years the thrill was gone. Utterly. Long. Gone. And still we’d be expected to go with the extended family back to the Falls. Sometimes a couple of times a summer. It truly is a marvel. It is easy to be bored before something so powerful and awesome because one does not have any imagination. It is possible to see something without seeing it, nor be moved by it.

I wonder, fellow believers, how many of us are bored before the Gospel?! It is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe—and yet there is a “not this again” attitude. Sighing we might say, I’ve seen it all before. What that means is you not really seeing it now. Consider this truth. Angels before the throne of God, longingly look to understand the depths of God’s great love for sinners who receive Him; and recoil at the terrors of His wrath against those who are bored before His majesty and holiness.

Do you see the greatness of our God? If you are struggling I challenge you now.

Read the Bible until you are really reading it. Taking it in. How many times have you channel surfed, or scrolled through video-short clips until something caught your attention? (Don’t answer, I know it will be embarrassing to you!). Read the Bible until you are more than just scrolling through. Trust that the Spirit will once against grip your heart.

Teach the Word of God to a young Christian. What made the trips to Niagara Falls bearable was the the “oh’s” and “Ah’s” of those family members seeing it for the very first time. Their wonder recaptured wonder for me as well. The trip changed from being "bearable" to very enjoyable because I saw it through their experience of the newness of it. So it is with those who share the Gospel. The splendor of our King is conveyed to them and to you as the newbie takes in all the glorious truth of the goodness of God and expresses his awe.

Get to church and listen to preaching. If your church has two services, a morning and afternoon (or evening service) go to both. (I know some folks have church in the morning and there is a second service, but the content is the same, then be an usher in the second one, volunteer, choose to get all you can out of the service.) God the Father has chosen to communicate the grace of Jesus Christ through the preaching of the Word—receive that means of grace.

Ask the Spirit to light up your heart once again. Pray for this. Know that your heart is in darkness, needing the light of Jesus Christ. The imagery of Psalm 63 is that your heart is a thirsty, dry land. It is tempting to start seeking blessing in the things of the world, in sinful activities, in all that cannot satisfy. Instead, ask the Spirit, Who filled Jesus without measure, to so fill your heart and mind and soul, that Jesus is for you the greatest desire of your life. Let Jesus be what He promised, Living Water that wells up in  you to fullest, soul-fulfilling satisfaction.

O God, You are my God; the Psalmist confessed he was earnestly seeking You. I confess the tepid temperature of my soul and my lazy scrolling through verses of Scripture. Spirit of the Living God, bring me once again to Jesus, the Fount of Living Water welling up to salvation. Bring to me the realization that gripped the Psalmist, that Your steadfast love is better than life, so that restored to the joy of such extravagant salvation my lips will praise You and I will bless You as long as I live. Amen.

Based on verses from Psalm 63

https://youtu.be/E8d0bMPl2hY?si=pjAfUShG65ok9Yqq “Fill Thou My Life”

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