According to Jesus, listening and hearing are two separate things, Mark 4:9. One of Jesus’ common expressions is “he who has ears, let him hear.” Depending upon your attentive state, whoever is speaking may be boring or perk your curiosity. Based upon the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 7:24-27, listening inspires action. While atheists, liberals, and progressive Americans claim that God is dead; I believe listening for God’s audible voice is achievable, Galatians 5:25.
Now [in Haran] the Lord said to Abram, Go for yourself [for your own advantage] away from your country, from your relatives and your father’s house, to the land that I will show you, Genesis 12:1.
Like any relationship, levels of intimacy can change from one day to the next. While Moses writes down God’s first encounter with Abram in the passage above, what actually happened on this day likely contained more details. From a human point of view, Abram might have wondered if he was going crazy or the creator of the universe was really speaking to him? This initial encounter opened Abram’s mind to the possibility of listening for God’s audible voice.
And He said, Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord. And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire [a sound of gentle stillness and] a still, small voice. 13 When Elijah heard the voice, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, What are you doing here, Elijah? – 1 Kings 19:11-13.
This is something the prophet Elijah also experienced in a powerful way. Based upon the passage above, there were a series of natural disasters which includes a tornado, earthquake and great fire. As this prophet was searching for answers to why these events were unleashed upon the earth, Elijah patiently listened for God’s audible voice. God didn’t send these down from heaven, they were simply part of nature on earth. As you take time to slow down by offering up prayers to God, listen for God’s audible voice, the Holy Spirit, so you can rebuke those who seek to blame God the next time bad things happen to good people.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 