July 05

Learning to Hear


I will bring on them … every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened.

Jeremiah 36:31 (NIV)


Listen carefully to Me….

Isaiah 55:2 (NKJV)


Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, for the life of your soul is at stake.

Isaiah 55:3a (NLT)


The other night my friend Al was complimenting the sermon my son had delivered at church on Youth Sunday. Al leaned forward in his chair, “The part that struck me was when he said, 'We pray, and pray, and pray—we’re good at that—but do we stop to listen, to hear what God might be saying to us?' That seemed so mature for an 18-year old to understand—because he’s right!”
Not only is he right, he’s stepping on my toes. How many times do I go through the motions at church, at home and all through my busy day? When I finally do take the time to pray for someone, and many times that someone is me, do I stop to listen?

Before my son Drew preached his sermon, I asked God to speak through him, to touch hearts and lives with his words. Little did I expect the heart and life he would touch … were mine!


Lord, thank You for this truth: I need to listen. I need to stop and listen and learn Your lessons. Help me to hear. Amen.