“Blessed is the
man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my
doors.” (Proverbs 8:34 NKJ)
man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my
doors.” (Proverbs 8:34 NKJ)
When I have enjoyed
a great sermon but afterwards cannot remember the preacher’s points, I get
extremely aggravated with myself. My chagrin is heightened if the sermon was in
a conference that cost money.
a great sermon but afterwards cannot remember the preacher’s points, I get
extremely aggravated with myself. My chagrin is heightened if the sermon was in
a conference that cost money.
Solomon may have
referred to a prayerful attitude, but his principle of listening is most
applicable to hearing God speak to us through a sermon. And if we believe the
Word of God, which I do, then he is speaking to us in each sermon we hear.
Hence, my personal dissatisfaction for
missing God’s message.
referred to a prayerful attitude, but his principle of listening is most
applicable to hearing God speak to us through a sermon. And if we believe the
Word of God, which I do, then he is speaking to us in each sermon we hear.
Hence, my personal dissatisfaction for
missing God’s message.
It is so easy to
miss God’s voice (I wish it wasn’t true) because the flesh is weak. I get
excited and rejoice in the emotional moments of the sermon and fail to
recognize the key statements from God coming through his servant. This is not
an indictment, but an understanding that I wasn’t truly listening to him. My
focus was on the wrong elements of the sermon, or I allowed emotion to distract
me.
miss God’s voice (I wish it wasn’t true) because the flesh is weak. I get
excited and rejoice in the emotional moments of the sermon and fail to
recognize the key statements from God coming through his servant. This is not
an indictment, but an understanding that I wasn’t truly listening to him. My
focus was on the wrong elements of the sermon, or I allowed emotion to distract
me.
Now according to
Solomon’s wisdom, if I am listening to God then I am carefully watching for God
to speak. I am waiting for God to speak. I am wanting God to speak. And of
course, when we want, wait and watch . . . God will speak!
Solomon’s wisdom, if I am listening to God then I am carefully watching for God
to speak. I am waiting for God to speak. I am wanting God to speak. And of
course, when we want, wait and watch . . . God will speak!
Sermons are not the
only way that God speaks. Our desire, waiting, and watching occurs daily.
Sensitivity to God’s voice permeates all aspects of our lives and should
involve all our senses. When God speaks, I certainly don’t want to miss his
message.
only way that God speaks. Our desire, waiting, and watching occurs daily.
Sensitivity to God’s voice permeates all aspects of our lives and should
involve all our senses. When God speaks, I certainly don’t want to miss his
message.
Dear Father, forgive
me for not listening. Empower me with the desire and expectation to truly
listen for you to speak to me. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
me for not listening. Empower me with the desire and expectation to truly
listen for you to speak to me. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Listen to God today,