How Do We Listen?

The living God has spoken to lost mankind in a variety of ways. The general response among us has been, “We did not hear His voice. We did not hear anything.” John recorded in his gospel the reactions of an audience of people who heard God speak audibly. When Jesus talked of His coming death, asking God to glorify His name through it, there came “a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again” (John 12:28). And what were the reactions of the bystanders? “The crowd that was there heard it and said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him” (John 12:29). People prefer their own logic, their own powers of reason. Even when God speaks, they refuse to recognize His voice. They will not confess that God has spoken through Jesus Christ, the eternal Son. When He confronts them with their sin, they consult a psychiatrist and hope they can get their personalities “properly adjusted.” But in a coming day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord of all!

Verse

I will hear what God the Lord will speak . . . peace unto his people. Psalm 85:8

Thought

People prefer their own logic, their own powers of reason. Even when God speaks, they refuse to recognize His voice.

Prayer

Lord, let me value Your will above my own. Make me receptive and responsive to Your bidding.