Hearing-Hope / Deafness-Despair

I was spiritually deaf until my early twenties. Thinking back, prior to that time, I can remember hearing faint rumours of something more. C.S. Lewis writes about a yearning in our hearts for a different place - another country. John Eldridge writes about hearing distant trumpets from the battlements of eternity. As a child I recall my attempts to listen and talk to God. As a teenager I kept feeling a tug, catching a glimpse, or hearing a whisper regarding the possibility of an "authentic life" where I could reach out beyond myself. It was at age 24, when God helped me to hear and believe in Him, that hope for this "real life" became a reality.

In 2 Chronicles, Chapter 17 - Jehoshaphat becomes King after Asa and walks in the ways of King David. He was willing to hear what the Lord was saying and faithfully took action because his hope was in God. He removes the high places and wooden idols. He also sends out teachers, into all of Judah, so his people can hear the word of God from the "Book of the Law" rather than putting false hope in wooden gods.

In Chapter 6 of the Book of Revelation we are made aware of the danger of spiritual deafness and the despair it will cause. Some interpret that the "Rider on the White Horse" represents a time of false peace. The world will be deaf to the truth. They speculate that this Antichrist will conquer the unsuspecting world through deceitful covenants and agreements. In the name of peace and security, it will be a bloodless coup without war. This counterfeit messiah will manipulate the world through false hope and bring only despair.

Later in Chapter 6, due to the cosmic disturbances of the Sixth Seal, many of the earth's leaders, warriors, and wealthy (who were deaf to the warnings) will try to hide from God's judgement. They will be overpowered with fear and despair.

In Zechariah, Chapter 2 - We hear an angel explain that the new Jerusalem will become so large it will extend beyond any normal walls. Instead there will be walls of fire - God's divine protection. God's glory, reflected in His Son, will dwell in the midst of this heavenly Jerusalem. We also hear these words of encouragement, " Be silent all people, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His Holy Habitation" C.S. Lewis echos these hopefilled words in the Chronicles of Narnia, "Aslan is on the move!" Their is good reason for the hope that we have in the mighty Lion of Judah!