I can still hear my parents asking, “Did you hear what I said?” It was clear to me that the question was rhetorical because they knew I had heard them, my ears worked just fine. What they really wanted to know was whether I intended to do what they had instructed. In our house, hearing and listening were never considered the same thing. Listening required a response. As a child, I was annoyed when my parents repeated themselves. As an adult, I realize they repeated themselves because they loved me. They knew there were consequences to ignoring wise instruction. Today, I smile when I remember those conversations because I have discovered that my Heavenly Father often asks me the very same question. “Did you hear what I said?“
Theologians agree that Samuel, the son of Hannah, was twelve years old when God audibly called him. It was just before the break of day when Samuel heard a voice. He thought the voice was that of the elderly priest Eli but found him asleep. Eli sent Samuel away three times before he realized it was The Almighty God speaking to Samuel. Young Samuel did not yet know God and therefore did not recognize His voice. Eli finally recognized what was happening and told Samuel if he heard the voice again, he was to listen to everything God was saying. When Samuel heard God calling again, he replied, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). Sisters, let me remind you that God is still speaking today.
I believe that the greatest challenge of the Christian is choosing God’s voice over every other competing voice. I admit hearing God clearly has not always been easy for me. Over the years, I had my plans carefully arranged and thought I knew what success looked like. I imagined certain prayers would be answered in particular ways. Sometimes, prayers were answered differently than I expected. Some relationships changed, opportunities disappeared and responsibilities arrived without invitation. There were even moments when the voices around me became louder than the voice within me.
The story of young Samuel has become precious to me because the ability to hear God’s voice is crucial. Daily, I ask God to speak clearly to me. Before I do anything, I turn my ears and my heart toward The Father because life can get hectic. Ministry can become noisy. Leadership can become noisy. Family responsibilities can become noisy. Even serving God can become noisy if we are not careful. That is exactly why I must focus on His voice. I am clear that every significant blessing in my life can be traced back to one simple decision, listening; really listening.
Somewhere between advocacy, caregiving, meetings, worship services, spending time with the grandchildren, and unexpected interruptions, any one of us can find ourselves hearing everyone except The One who matters most. Throughout the Bible, we find examples of those whose listening altered their lives and the course history. An entire family and the human family was saved because Noah listened (Genesis 6:22). A great nation was founded because Abraham listened (Genesis 12, Genesis 26:5). Slaves were led out of Egyptian bondage because Moses listened (Exodus 3, Exodus 33:11). The importance of communing with God was shown to all Because Mary of Bethany listened (Luke 10:39). God came in the flesh to save the world because Mary listened (Luke 1:38). When I am still and listen, I receive divine guidance for daily living.
Listening and stillness have become two of God’s greatest gifts to me. The words of the psalmist found in Psalm 46:10 are dear to me. I spend significant time asking God what He wants me to know. I have found that God’s whispers carry more wisdom than the world’s shouting. The world celebrates people who speak the loudest. God blesses those who listen the longest. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). He does not say His sheep recognize every circumstance. They recognize His voice. That has become enough for me.
There are still days when I an unsure of where God is leading. There are prayers I continue to wait to see answered. There are people I desperately wish would make different choices. There are burdens I cannot carry without His strength. But I know His voice. I have experienced God over and over again and He has never misled me. Every time I ignored Him, I regretted it. Every time I followed Him, even through tears, He proved Himself trustworthy. I find great comfort in the words of Isaiah 30:2. They provide a beautiful image. Not a God shouting from a distance but a Father and child walking closely enough that His gentle voice can be heard.
With this image in mind, I hear my parents’ voices a little differently these days. Their question was never about my hearing, it was always about my heart. And maybe that is God’s question for each of us today. “Did you hear what I said?” Not yesterday’s sermon, your favorite podcast nor what everyone else is saying. God is asking, “Did you hear Me? As I live, learn, stumble and serve, I know that I am being held together by God’s amazing grace. My daily prayer is simple: “Lord, when other voices grow loud, help me recognize Yours and please help me listen.”
Join me Under The Church Hat for this month’s devotion.
Describe a time when you confused hearing God’s Word with actually obeying it.
What three distractions make it difficult for you to hear God’s gentle whisper?
List five practices help you become still before God.
Describe would change this week if your greatest priority became listening for God’s voice.
Choose a passage from this devotion to meditate on throughout the month.