God Speaks – Hear and Obey
The willingness to obey every word from God is critical to hearing God speak. Henry T. Blackaby
Several years ago, my husband and I were staying at a bed-and-breakfast where the bedrooms were equipped with the latest technology. The owners had installed voice-activated devices that turned the sound system on or off. We were alarmed when we suddenly heard our neighbour shouting. It turned out he was shouting at Alexa, the voice-activation system, which was not obeying his commands. No matter the tone of voice he used or how loudly he shouted his commands, Alexa kept getting her wires crossed. She wasn’t playing the music he requested, or was silent. He was getting rather frustrated and finally gave up.
The voice-activation system was somehow not sensitive to our neighbour’s voice and couldn’t carry out the instructions. We can sometimes be like “Alexa” Our hardware - our mind may be wired correctly, and we know that God wants to speak to us personally, but we are unable to hear His voice. In Matthew 13, Jesus quotes Isaiah when He talks about the Israelites whose ears were dull (Matthew 13:15). They were insensitive to God’s voice. But Jesus goes on to say in verse 16,
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Speak Lord
As followers of Jesus, we have been given Holy Spirit to empower us to hear the voice of God. But we need to be sensitive to the promptings of Holy Spirit. We need to come with a humble heart. A heart that has a reverent awe for God. A heart that is willing to be attentive to His words. To relinquish any preconceived ideas. To yield to Him. To say as Samuel did when God called Him, “Speak Lord, Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).
This should not only be the attitude of our hearts when we find ourselves in difficult situations, but a daily habit. Each day we turn our eyes to Jesus. We ask Him: “How do you want me to serve Your kingdom today?” He will show us. All He asks is that we are obedient to what He wants us to do. Our obedience will bring His light in darkness, peace where there is discord, mercy where there is judgement, and love that breaks down enmity. Obedience to God’s voice will not only bring life and light to our own souls, but also to that of others.
My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. Proverbs 4:20-22
Reflection:
Are you yearning to hear God’s voice? Take time to come attentively and humbly before Him. He will speak.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, You see my desire to hear from You. Help me to take time to come quietly, humbly and attentively before You. I say as Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.” In Jesus’ name, amen.
