Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Do You Hear What I Hear?

It has been said that a mother’s hearing is very acute, when our babies cry we know by their sound if they are hurt or just hungry, we can hear the change of inflections in our child’s voice when something is bothering them, our ears tells us if it’s our child hollering MOM above all the others, and we hear their conversations even if it’s just above a whisper. We can relate that in order for a physician to diagnosis a problem they must first listen to all of their patient’s symptoms. However, both the physician and the mother have used their ability to listen and they respond accordingly. Not everyone has the physical ability to hear, but everyone does have the God-given ability to listen and this is one sense that we widely take for granted.

I’m reminded of the instances where Jesus spoke to the multitudes, he ended his teaching with “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” This was in fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy which in part says, “…for the hearts of this people have grown dull, their ears are hard of hearing…” But blessed are your ears for they hear, many prophets and righteous men desire to hear what you hear but did not. (see Matthew 13:13-17)

For most hearing comes naturally but the real test comes when you respond to what you’ve heard. Are we listening to what God is saying today? John 10:3 bears witness to the believer, “and the sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” Do you hear the Shepherd’s voice? A good barometer is our response. Ask yourself this honest question, am I listening to and obeying our Lord’s voice or have I become that wayward sheep who has gone astray?

Often times a person’s hearing loss can be measured based on their behavioral responses. The author of Hebrews gives us believers a warning to pay close attention, to be careful to what we have heard so that we don’t drift away. In Hebrews 2:1-4: He is speaking of those who have heard from the Lord God himself, they have heard the good news of salvation, they even responded initially but because of immaturity, spiritual sluggishness, and disobedience they begin to drift away. Our Lord knows our weaknesses and he is a loving Father who demands that we listen attentively to what he says. For if we neglect the message that we’ve heard through the Lord himself and through those around us sharing God’s word, how can we escape punishment if we don’t respond to such a great salvation. We lose out on the opportunity to reign with Christ and be heir of his kingdom.
Do not neglect this great gift you have been given.

It is the hardness of our hearts that causes us to hear but not to listen. Israel heard the voice of the one crying out in the wilderness, they heard the words of Jesus yet they failed to listen and believe. How many times did Pharaoh hear the words, “let my people go?” “Yet, Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the Lord had said.” For those who don’t take heed and turn at the Lord’s rebuke they face the results of their choice. Proverbs 1:23-33 gives warning to those who God calls yet they refuse to listen. However, a promise is also given to who ever listens to Him will dwell safely and will be secure without fear of evil.

Have you heard the voice of God calling you out of rebellion? Have you drifted away? Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion. Beware, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12,15) I urge you today to listen to the voice of Jesus, turn back to him now and repent. In order to hear his voice we must first be listening. Make time now to spend time alone with God. “The Lord will cause men to hear his majestic voice.” Isaiah 30:30 “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.”” Is 30:21 Listen to our Lord’s voice telling you to turn back, come back into a right relationship with him it’s where you belong.

There is no chorus so loud that the voice of God cannot be heard….if we will but listen. Max Lucado.

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