Day 12
LISTEN
Reminder: The last couple days we prayed from Scripture while reading. The more we exercise that #PrayRead muscle, the more understanding we’ll gain and the more meaningful our time with God will be.
The Lord showed me on one occasion what I believe to be the most important word in the Bible. One word of Christ’s kept striking me because of how frequently He repeated it. You’ll see it in these verses.
“What you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.” (Matt 10:27) “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Matt 11:15)
“Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear?” (Mark 8:18)
Hear. There it was. Over and over. It was the primary word in His blockbuster parable of the sower (Matt 13). That parable revealed that the way we hear the word determines the fruit it produces in our lives. Everything in the kingdom of God is predicated upon hearing. Once we hear from heaven, kingdom doors swing. Everything changes when we hear from God and act upon His word.
This is why, when we come to the secret place, we come primarily to listen. Yes, it’s a time to talk to God; but more than that, it’s a time to hear from God.
Things don’t change when I talk to God; things change when God talks to me. When I speak, nothing happens. When God speaks, universes come into existence. In our prayer lives, therefore, we should be slow to speak and quick to listen.
I can’t tell God what to say, or when to say it. But I can position myself so that, when He does speak, I’m ready to hear and respond.
We spend time in the word so we can hear from God. Someone might say, “But I never hear from God.” If that’s true, I will tell you why. You’re not living in His word. There, I said it.
PRAY. Tell the Lord you’re receiving this exhortation. Express your eagerness to hear His voice.
Today, if you will hear His voice: “Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion, as in the day of trial in the wilderness.” (Ps 95:7-8)
We see the importance of hearing in Psalm 95.
Because of hard hearts, the Israelites didn’t believe and obey God. How important is this verse? Well, the writer of Hebrews quoted it six times. It’s a good verse to talk to God about.
PRAY. Implore God for a soft heart—a heart that responds in faith and obedience every time He speaks. Ask for grace to learn from the example of the hard-hearted Israelites in the wilderness. Jesus, I say yes to every word of Your mouth.
Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Gal 3:5)
Paul made the oft-quoted statement that faith comes by hearing (Rom 10:17). Faith hears. That’s what Paul reinforced in this verse:
Take a few moments to ponder the implications of that verse.
◆ When faith hears the word, the supply of the Spirit is released to us.
◆ When faith hears the word, miracles are worked among us.
PRAY. Ask the Lord for faith that truly hears His voice and releases the life of God to others.
We want to cultivate the discipline of listening while reading the word. We don’t read so we can say, “I’ve completed my daily quota of Bible reading.” We read in order to hear.
Hearing from God often happens through the most simple means:
◆ Place God’s word before you.
◆ Talk to God internally as you read, turning your reading time into an interactive visit.
◆ Take time to ponder any verse the Spirit highlights to you. Ask questions about it. As you ask what the verse is saying, also ask what the verse isn’t saying. Do other Scriptures come to mind that put a unique light on this verse?
As you take time to press into the crevices of a Scripture, you’re positioned to hear from God.
Close out your reset time today by expressing how eager you are to hear His voice. Whisper your affection to Jesus.
RESET: 20 Ways to a Consistent Prayer Life Copyright © 2018 by Bob Sorge Published by Oasis House
Reproduced with permission.
For information on all Bob’s books, go to www.oasishouse.com