From horizontal listening we switch to the vertical. Does God talk to us? Can we actually perceive God communicating with us?After walking with God for 62 years, I’m beginning to realize that it is possible to hear Him with my soul. ”My sheep listen to my voice…and follow me.” God does not typically speak in an audible voice, but he most certainly is speaking with us. The voice of God whispers directly into our soul, guiding , counseling and comforting us. Are we listening, or are we too busy talking? God will not scream at us to pay attention, so if we are too preoccupied with our own thoughts, His gentle voice will be obscured.
Our prayer time will beneft if it consists of listening as well as speaking. We need to attentively seek for that quiet, gentle voice and eagerly let it guide us. In quiet prayer, we are to ask God to reveal his will and then listen patiently for His response. The more often we do this, the easier it will become. However, if we fail to do this, we will miss out on the advice and direction God is offering. Worse still, our relationship will suffer, just as a marriage suffers when one partner simply refuses to listen.
This deterioration of our fellowship with God is a precipitous, though often subtle fall. If we chronically fail to listen to what God is telling us, it will get increasingly more difficult to hear His loving solice and kind direction for our lives. The environmental clamor of our own desires may cause such a racket that we will no longer believe that God even speaks at all.
As a follower of the Lord, we listen to Him. His Word. His words. And the fruit that flows from listening is the growth and spiritual maturity that leads to godly action.
More tomorrow.
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