LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Ephesians 5:17, ESV
Theme: Listen and understand God’s will, letting it become the purpose behind your actions. Avoid foolish decisions by staying close to the Spirit.
HEARING GOD
My grandchildren have been learning to hear from God. Well... they have been studying the different ways God might speak to them, doing devotions, singing worship songs, and then they are asked to sit quietly and listen to hear what God speaks to them or impresses on them. Both waiting for and hearing from God can be hard! It’s hard for adults, right? But Mama is right to give them space to listen to the Spirit speak and to teach them to leave room for that silence period.
The other day when I was driving them around in my car, there was a squabble. The littles were asked to sit quietly and listen to what God would ask them to do. One of them said, “Say ‘I’m sorry’?” When Mom asked if that’s what they had heard or felt, she replied, “No, but I guess that’s what He would say.” Good guess, for we know the Lord often nudges us to repentance. Maybe she really was feeling His conviction. The other sibling, when asked, said, “No, He didn’t tell me to do anything.” Can you spell stubborn? Has this ever been you? It has certainly been me!
INTENTIONALLY LISTENING
Like young Samuel (see 1 Samuel 3:1-11 below), we must learn to distinguish God’s voice. In fact, listening and hearing the voice of the Lord is a learned skill. Sometimes that still small voice gives us nudges of conviction or it can feel like a shove in the right direction. However, if we don’t learn to allow for those pauses and stay attuned to His Spirit, we can miss it.
As our Scripture of the Day tells us, we can also ask for understanding. God has promised to give us wisdom. He doesn’t promise we will know every detail, but we will know enough to follow.
Make It Personal: To hear and understand His will, we need to make room for God in our days, our moments, and our thought lives. We need to practice the art of inviting Him in, sitting with Him in a posture of listening, and waiting for Him to show up. “And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10, ESV).
Pray: God, I want to know You and hear from You. I want to have a personal relationship with You. I don’t want to miss out on Your presence and power in my life. Please help me learn how to stay connected with You. Help me to put off the sin that so easily entangles me. Help me not to grieve and quench Your Spirit, but instead help me live in such a way that I am attuned to You and I allow You to guide my every step. I want to be faithful and produce much fruit. Speak to me today and help me to listen and follow through. In Your Name I pray, Amen.
Read: 1 Samuel 3:1-11, 19-21; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 46:10; John 10:27
Weekly Memory Verse: But be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:18b - 19 (ESV)