Listen

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

God speaks to us in many different ways: Through His Word, His “still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12), sermons, and other people. But there is one very important thing to remember; we must listen!

One of the beautiful things about trusting in what God speaks to us is that we don’t have to aimlessly wander through life trying to figure things out on our own. As we sit in a quiet place with the Lord, lean in, and lend our ears to the soft, sweet whisper of His voice, He will give us the exact directions to follow. There have been many times when I was trying to do a certain job and was getting frustrated when things didn’t work. I then remembered to ask God for help, got an inspiration to try it another way, and BOOM, it worked. Ask for God’s help FIRST, then listen.

The ability to hear God doesn’t just require a God who speaks; He will always be speaking to us. It requires hearts that hear. If God is willing to talk to us, why don’t we spend more time in His presence just listening? When we pray, are we doing all the talking or are we giving Him time to speak? Are we listening?

Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if He calls you, say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”’” (1 Samuel 3:1-10.) After God had called to the boy Samuel three times and he thought it was his master, Eli, he finally listened and heard who was really calling to him.

Perhaps this is sound advice for our lives as well. Perhaps in a world that is so full of noise, we just need to stop, quiet our hearts, and say, “Your servant is listening.” Then, be quiet and listen.

 “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.” (Jeremiah 33:3). What great things have we been missing because we are not really listening? God is still calling. Listen.