Listen to Devotion

But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you because they are not willing to listen to me, because the whole house of Israel is hard-headed and hard-hearted. Look, I have made your face just as hard as their faces and your forehead just as hard as their foreheads. I have made your forehead like the hardest stone, harder than flint. Do not fear them, and do not be intimidated by their looks, for they are a rebellious house.”

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Do you have a hard head? Now, don’t go knock your forehead into a wall to check! This isn’t about how tough your skull is. It’s about being “hardheaded”—a word God sometimes uses to describe people who don’t want to listen. Have you ever been stubborn? Refused to listen to someone who loves you? Ignored good advice? That’s what it means to be hardheaded.

No one really wants to be called that. It means we’re being stubborn, difficult, and maybe even a little rude.

But the truth is—we all act hardheaded sometimes. We don’t always want to listen to our parents or teachers. We might ignore our friends. And sadly, we sometimes don’t want to listen to what God says either.

A long time ago, God told a man named Ezekiel to be a prophet. His job? Go and speak God’s words to the people of Israel. But God warned him—it was going to be really tough. Why? Because the people were hardheaded. They didn’t want to listen to Ezekiel or to God. Some would roll their eyes. Others would argue. Some would even get angry. But Ezekiel still had to speak. Why? Because God loved those people—even when they were stubborn.

God still loves people who act hardheaded. That includes us. He could yell at us. He could say, “Fine! Don’t listen!” But he doesn’t. Instead, he sends loving people—like parents, teachers, pastors, and friends—to share his message. And he sends us the best message of all: Jesus loves us even when we mess up. Even when we’re hardheaded. Even when we ignore him.

He’s patient. He’s gentle. He forgives. That’s the kind of love that can soften even the hardest heart.

Dear Jesus, sometimes we don’t want to listen. We get stubborn and hardheaded. Thank you for loving us anyway. Help us to listen to your Word and to the people you send to help us. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above

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