Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 3:00 — 4.1MB)
I’ve often spoken about how to develop good listening skills, because they are essential for our success in every area of our lives..
For years I’ve been consciously working at becoming a better listener, because I’m not a naturally good listener—I’m a talker! But by putting some simple disciplines in place, I’m a better listener than I used to be. There are simple things we can all do to become better listeners, and believe me, you will reap wonderful benefits from that. People love people who listen.
But how about listening to God? Do you ever think about what you need to do to hear God’s voice? If you feel like, “God, I can’t hear you,” maybe it’s because you haven’t learned how to listen to God. In Psalm 81:13-14 we read:
If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!
In Psalm 85:8 the Psalmist says, “I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—but let them not turn to folly.”
So, listening to God is first of all a choice we make. The Psalmist said, “I will listen to what God the Lord will say.” God doesn’t usually speak to us until we have ears to hear. But how does God speak to us?
Hebrews 1:1-2: In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.
2 Timothy 3:16 – 17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Mostly God speaks to us through the written Word. That means we have to make time in our lives to read the Word for the sole purpose of hearing God speak to us personally. Sometimes I find myself reading the Bible just because I’m supposed to. That doesn’t do much good. But if you read it for the sole purpose of hearing God speak to you, God will speak to you through his Word.