"Call to me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know" Jeremiah 33:3.
Why is it that we fail to hear what He is saying? Is it that we believe it is a totally passive experience? That we should just sit and absorb what is being said to us? I believe good listening is an active endeavor requiring both attitude and action. Shouldn't we approach God confidently and expectantly, anticipating that He will communicate with us? I believe that is an expression of faith where we demonstrate that we believe His promises.
One thing we must do is approach the Lord with an attitude of patience (Psalm 40:1). I know I am not one who is thrilled with waiting but I do know that often God doesn't tell us everything at once. Sometimes we are not ready for everything He wants to say and He withholds information until we are prepared to listen. Other times He may be s-t-r-e-c-h-i-n-g our faith.
There is another attitude which involves action...listening actively. I love what Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom..." We are to be rich, abundant, and overflowing with the truth of God's Word. This comes about by meditating on Scripture.
Listen humbly and submissively for we must understand how absolutely dependent we are upon the Holy Spirit to reveal truth. Whether God speaks through Scripture, circumstances, prayer, or other people, it is the Spirit who enables us to hear.
4 comments:
It is so hard to just listen.
Each of thinks his or her own opinion is so valuable, that we even dare to instruct God from time to time.
Would that we would learn to listen more and speak less. Or at least more carefully
Thanks for a good post!
Claire, great thoughts - as usual!:)
Sometimes I think, man, why can't I hear God? He isn't speaking!!!! It's only after the fact of a particular circumstance or something, that I realize He was still moving.
I really think I have a difficult time hearing God, though. I really do.
Like Gayla, I can have a really tough time hearing God. Being still long enough to let Him bypass all the crap that is in my head is one of the keys.
A pretty decent book that I read on this subject was called, "God is Closer Than You Think" by John Ortberg. Let me tell you, if the last chapter doesn't just make you weep, you really need to have your tear ducts checked. It really helped me "hear" God in my life.
Claire, fabulous.
David Jeremiah said the other day the most profound thing I've heard in a long time. "Your prayers draw you into God's plan."
I asked God a long time ago what the real purpose of prayer was. He's been answering that question for years now.
btw...I used that very verse just this afternoon when talking to someone about believing God. Great minds and all that, eh?
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