HEARING

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and HEARING they do not hear, nor do they understand – Matthew 13:13

HEARING is vital to how our lives play out! Every time God’s Word is proclaimed it changes all of those within its hearing. No one ever remains unaffected by God’s Word. To those who hear it positively, there is growth in grace. To those who reject it or are indifferent to it, the repercussions could be dire. The world tries to fill our ears with all kinds of things that could drown out the voice of God and push Him far, far into the background of our lives. But, because we know that hearing from Him is vital to enjoying His eternal plans, we must choose to listen. Listening enhances hearing. Listening to God is our decision; no one else can make if for us. God will not force us to choose His will, but He will do everything possible to encourage us to say ‘Yes’! God wants to be involved in even the smallest details of our lives. His Word tells us to acknowledge Him “in all our ways” and He will direct our paths (Pro.3:6).

God wants to be involved on a day-to-day basis in running our lives. He is not only interested in what we consider to be the major issues that we think we cannot handle ourselves. Yet, many of us still do not appreciate the reality that God talks to people. We should never hesitate to take what we think are small things to God; after all, everything is small to our Almighty God! We talk to our children all the time; and so does our Heavenly Father talk to us all the time. It is His will for us to know His plan through divine guidance. He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and be our Counsellor, Helper, and Guide all through life. John 14:26 says that He will teach us all things and bring to our remembrance things Christ has taught us. He will lead us into truth; never into error. Because you cannot hear God very well when your life is noisy and overly busy, the Holy Spirit will help you to create an atmosphere that is conducive to hearing from God. As you live the Spirit-led life, you will learn how to overcome the hindrances to hearing God speak and develop a tender conscience that is tuned to the sound of His voice.

Expect God to speak to you. The Lord Jesus told His disciples: “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven…” (Mt.13:11a). Again He said: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come”: (Jh.16:12-13). He tells you the same today!

Expect to hear God as He speaks! Through Christ, and the power of His Holy Spirit, God wants to speak to you on a One-to-one basis, every day. He wants to lead you step by step to the fullness of His will for you. he who keeps track of how many hairs you have on your head definitely cares about the deepest desires of your heart (Mt.10:30).

Faith comes by hearing (Rom.10:17). Your ears – spiritual and physical – have great roles to play in matters of life and destiny! God’s Word consistently reminds us: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Mt.11:15; 13:9); “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear” (Mk.4:23, 7:16). God is willing and able to open your ears and sanctify them so you can be sensitive to His voice. Will you ask Him to do so? He wants to talk to you, to forge and develop a closer relationship with you. Ask Him to circumcise your ears so that you are not distracted by fleshly desires that may keep you from hearing His still, small voice.