Ah, stubborn children. Isaiah 30.1
God knows who you pastor, after all he pastors you. We’ve been an exasperating, stiff-necked bunch since Eden. If the Gospel was an operating system our hard hearts would be a bug. They certainly are theologically speaking. But in the peculiar logic of grace, God has made the bug something of a feature. He uses our recalcitrance to (eventually) humble us, establish the authority of his Word, and prove his steadfast love. Once by grace our hearts return to God, we discover he’s been standing with outstretched arms offering us salvation and rest (vs. 15). That’s how a gracious and compassionate God deals with his people. It’ll do you well to remember that.
Still, they don’t always listen. So, you pray and refine your craft like a good servant. Keep doing that…
If not for this bug/feature, everyone of your sermons, songs, and shepherd sayings would soften hearts, and build his Kingdom exactly the way you pray for them. And that’s the rub. Week after week for decades, you speak truth and love with faith and conviction. In fact, you’re almost always preaching to the choir! Most of your people gave their soul to Christ and pledged allegiance to his Word before they even decided to attend your church. Still, they don’t always listen. So, you pray and refine your craft like a good servant. Keep doing that, but don’t personalize other people’s stubbornness, whether mild or severe. It’s a bug/feature God uses to humble us all and prove his grace.
