by 1 Corinthians 2:9 is often used to speak of the wonders of Heaven to come. This is a valid application that does no injustice to scripture, but it’s not the context of this passage. Paul is quoting Isaiah 64:4, a time when Israel was in captivity anxiously awaiting God’s deliverance. The Corinthians would have understood Paul applying this passage to their present deliverances and blessings, and understood that God had already “revealed them unto us by his Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:10; John 16:13). The question Paul imposes is, why didn’t the Corinthians’ eyes see this, their ears hear it and their hearts experience “the things which God hath prepared for them that love him?” Two verses later, in Isaiah 64:6, the culprit is one word, iniquities — the Corinthians were guilty of trusting “all of our righteousnesses” and not God’s.
Paul’s answer is simple:
- Open your EYES
- Open your EARS
- Open your HEART
Let me illustrate — To hear or experience anything from the air waves (radio, TV, satellite, cell phone, Internet), something must be turned on, tuned in and toned up. The problem is not the stations because they transmit continuously, 24 hours a day. Likewise, God is constantly transmitting His voice to His sheep. The problem is not God, but His sheep not turned on and tuned in. The result is missing out on His spiritual blessings and deliverances.
We live in a time that is full of busyness, instant communication, 24/7 online interaction, etc. With all the capabilities we have at our fingertips, more than ever believers are unable to hear the still small voice of God as He continuously speaks to us through His creation, in our conscience, out of His Scriptures and by the life and work of His dear Son. Unfortunately, it is the same blessings that God gives us that distracts us from experiencing His fullness.
We don’t necessarily need to lay aside our blessings in some religious penance. We just need to stop and smell the roses, relish in His blessings, His creation, His Scriptures and His dear Son. Let these draw us closer to His blessings. Let this be our challenge going forward as we leave another Easter season in history.
