Three years ago, I decided that I needed help with my hearing. I could ‘hear’ the sounds of conversation but often without clarity. I was missing out, or worse, would say something that was totally unrelated to the topic because I could not hear properly! So, I bought hearing aids. What a blessing they can be when I remember to put them in my ears before I leave my home.
Are you able to hear the voice of the Lord, attuned to His ways and will, ready to respond?
He does speak, promises to guide us, and is our “ever-present help in times of trouble.” Enjoying those blessings, however, do require some choices we make, much like my improved hearing required me to choose to get help! What follows is not a formula of ‘3 easy steps to knowing God’s will.’ Rather, I want to offer some suggestions that you may consider for increasing your spiritual insight.
In Luke 10 we read the story of Jesus’ visit to the home of Mary and Martha. Martha was taken up with her work to provide hospitality and grew angry at her sister for just sitting around listening! The Lord famously did not join Martha’s indignance, but instead said this - “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:40 NIV) Jesus came to visit with both women. One was willing to listen. The other felt only the frustration she created for herself.
Martha teaches us that we can be so taken up with our religious service that we miss out on knowing the true Presence of Jesus. IF we make our spiritual life all about the songs we sing, the scrupulous adherence to rituals, or digging around in the words of the Bible for some new ‘truth’ – our ability to hear the Spirit’s voice can be diminished, even lost. Like Mary, we must choose to make ourselves available to the Lord and examine our attitude toward Him if we desire to hear His voice.
If we want to hear Him, we must choose to respond to Him. Ever watched a parent attempt to speak with a child who has decided to ignore her Mom? That little one hears the words but has chosen not to actually listen. We watch knowing that correction is coming at some point in time.
When God speaks to us, He desires that we respond with obedience. There are times when I am reading the scripture or listening to a sermon when I sense the Spirit asking for growth and/or change. In that moment, I am faced with a choice: submit to Him or ignore His voice. I confess that sometimes I try to dismiss the impression, excusing my actions or determining that what I feel is just a left-over echo of my own conscience.
Using the example of the ancient people of Israel, the Word warns us of ‘hardening our heart!’ "As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.” Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?" (Hebrews 3:15-16, NIV) They had seen spectacular miracles as they left Egypt. They were living with day-to-day provisions from the Lord, but they chose to ignore Him and became spiritual deaf! The risk remains when we resist the clear call of the Spirit to walk faithfully in His ways.
A good conversation that is rich in understanding requires at least as much listening as it does speaking. Someone suggested that too often we formulate a response to the other person before they finish speaking. We are so focused on what we want to say that we do not really ‘hear’ the other person. Ever had that experience? It’s not great, is it?
Prayer is not JUST bringing a list of requests to God. Yes, He wants us to ask Him for every need, to share with Him every doubt, to bring our friends and family before Him in our prayers. AND, He wants us to learn to listen, too. Contemplative prayer, that which is focused on the Person of God, in which I am with HIM in silent focus, allows Him to speak. Oh, it is hard! A thousand thoughts will intrude as we quiet ourselves before Him. Most of us are so addicted to noise, to our smartphones, to constant background chatter on the TV or streaming device, that we experience a kind of anxiety when we enter into silence for more than a couple of minutes.
But, if we would hear from God, we must learn that discipline. We must choose to wait before Him with simple faith and earnest expectation. When you attempt this, do not be discouraged if days pass when you come from silence feeling that time was wasted.
Yes, God is speaking everywhere, all the time. The Scripture is His revelation of His will. But He does not only speak to us when our Bibles are open. He speaks to us in the voice of friend, in the arrangement of our circumstances, in the good times and the awful, too. As Elijah learned on the mountain, He seldom roars or shouts. Mostly His is the ‘still, small voice.’ Let’s learn to listen!
This word from the Word is a precious promise. Be encouraged
by it to learn and listen.
"The LORD gives
wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds
victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is
blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful
ones.
Then you will understand what
is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and
knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and
understanding will guard you." (Proverbs 2:5-11, NIV)
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