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It’s easy to miss the importance of listening—not just hearing but truly listening—to God, others, and even ourselves. The Bible speaks profoundly about the power and necessity of listening, particularly in Isaiah 50:4 and John 8:47, which remind us that listening is not just a skill but a spiritual discipline.
Isaiah 50:4 says, “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.” This verse underscores that listening is a skill and a transformative spiritual discipline. Through our listening ear, we can offer encouragement and strength to the weary. God, who created the heavens and the earth, also made us—and knows us better than we know ourselves. He speaks to us in ways that shape our hearts and transform our lives if we listen.
In John 8:47, Jesus says, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” This verse challenges us to evaluate our relationship with God based on our ability to hear Him. If we aren’t hearing God, it may be because we’ve stopped listening. It’s not that God is silent, but often, we become too distracted by the noise of life—work, relationships, technology, and personal desires—to hear His voice.
Listening, in this sense, is serious business. It’s not passive but an active, deliberate pursuit of God’s voice. It’s tuning into the whispers of the Holy Spirit, often described as a “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). This voice doesn’t compete for our attention but waits patiently for us to quiet our hearts. When we listen to God, we position ourselves to receive divine guidance, wisdom, and clarity for the paths we should take. And the God who created us knows exactly where we need to go.
We often think we know what’s best for ourselves. Our ambitions, plans, and dreams align with what we want from life. But Scripture reminds us that God’s plans far exceed what we could ever imagine. In Jeremiah 29:11, God says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” When we listen, we open ourselves to the bigger picture and the grand plans God has crafted for our good and His glory. On the other hand, not listening may cause us to miss out on what He desires for us.
Like a parent who watches over a child, ensuring they don’t run into danger, God listens to our hearts and speaks into our lives for our wellbeing. His guidance is deeply personal, often protecting us from paths that lead to harm, whether we recognize it or not. When we choose to tune out the voice of the Holy Spirit, we risk walking blindly into trouble.
So, let’s take listening seriously. The God who knows us better than we know ourselves wants to speak into our lives. When we listen, we align our hearts with His will and embrace the plans He has for us—plans that will sustain, guide, and lead us to His purpose. It’s not just about hearing but about actively listening to His voice and taking responsibility for our spiritual growth and divine guidance.
A Prayer for Listening to God's Voice
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being a God who speaks to us in love and wisdom. Open my ears and heart to truly listen to Your voice, as Isaiah 50:4 says, "Morning by morning, You awaken my ear to listen as one being instructed." Help me to hear Your guidance, to respond with obedience, and to trust in Your perfect plans. May I always be attentive to Your still, small voice and follow Your ways.
In Jesus' name, I pray,
Amen.
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