When They Won’t Listen

You’ve seen them, they’re in churches everywhere. They’ve heard the preaching and teaching, been around awhile, yet for some inexplicable reason, they “know better than God.”

You and others can tell them “Don’t do it” but they’re already committed, and nothing is going to stop them. Some eventually return, but what do you say to them?

Acts 27 helps. It’s rich, raw, and full of good counsel when they (or you) just won’t listen.

God speaks to us through others, sometimes directly, sometimes through a still small voice, a storm, a loss, often through circumstance, and always through Scripture!

God won’t rub your face in your failure, but He will allow you to feel the full weight of it. 

You have a plan but the godly counsel you sought warned against it. Maybe it was a message you heard or what you read in Scripture but wasn’t what you wanted to hear.

Instead, some expert, professional or someone on the internet was affirming what God’s word or some godly influence in your life was warning against (Acts 27:9-11).

Paul had been through some things, knew God’s word, and gave good counsel. Later, after the losses mounted (v. 14-15) and panic set in (v. 18-20), Paul spoke, again.

But who wants to hear these miserable words!? (v. 21). I can promise you, you don’t.

You should have listened! It’s like the bratty sibling or schoolmate who loved to rub failure in your face by saying, I told you so, I told you so! Don’t they bug you 🧐!?

Paul had warned the Centurion not to do it, but he listened to the professionals, experts, and their own hearts and motives instead of God’s word.

Maybe you’re doing that right now. You know, searching for someone to agree with you, to give you permission, or to understand why your way really is better.

The winds are contrary and instead of heeding the warning, you stubbornly press on. This verse makes me worry for you (Pro. 14:12).

Now, you won’t always like the counsel the preacher, pastor, or pages of scripture gives.

But you also won’t like the storms, circumstances and losses that bring you back only to hear some godly praying friend say, “you should have hearkened unto me”.

I don’t know what you’re planning or facing right now. But I know the One who does (Heb. 4:12-13). Smooth sailing and havens can quickly become storms (v. 12-14).

Let me be that friend who says, don’t do it. The losses and regrets will be too great (v. 38). God can still get you safely to shore, but you won’t enjoy the ride (v. 39-44).

But, if you go ahead, I’ll be the friend who won’t rub your face in your failure, or say, “I told you so”!

I won’t have to. I’m sure you’ll recall the words from God’s word, “you should have hearkened unto me”. 

You’ll find some questions to help you in the GO DEEPER section below. Be sure to check it out. Each week it adds more substance to this two-minute read.

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