12-30-07 John 9:31

John 9:31 (NAS)
We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing, and does His will, He hears him.

John 9:31 (Philips)
Everybody knows that God does not listen to sinners. It is the man who has a proper respect for God and does what he wants him to do—he’s the one God listens to.

John 9:31 (NLT)
Well, God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will.

You know that God is love and His love extends to everyone who will receive it. You cannot imagine that there are people who do not want Adonai's love; however, some people reject God's love. These are the ones who are devoted to sin. They are pre-eminently sinful and wicked. They have chosen to spurn the Lord's advances; they see themselves as the "lord" of their own lives. They have no honor and are not upright at all. Therefore, Adonai does not listen to them. He does not attend to or consider anything that they say. It is almost as if He cannot even understand their words; they are totally foreign to His nature.

However, He is quick to hear His children, those who worship and revere Him. As His child, you are always ready to do all that He asks of you. You want to act rightly and to do everything well. You have set your will to His will. You try to choose what He desires and what would give Him pleasure. His intentions and purposes have become your intentions and purposes. So you can be assured that He listens attentively for the barest whisper from you lips. You know that if He hears you, then you can have what you ask.