But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
–Luke 11:28
A few months ago, I woke up screaming.
I was in so much pain. My head hurt like I was hearing a thousand sirens go off simultaneously. Before the day ended, I was in the Emergency Department of my local hospital.
The doctors were stumped. So was I until the next day when my left ear began to drain.
Upon my return, the doctor realized that I had an eardrum rupture. My eardrum had burst as a result of a middle ear infection. I temporarily lost hearing in my left ear.
It was a challenge for me to communicate with my children, who have a tendency to be loud and rambunctious, as most small children are. Everyday activities became difficult for me.
What a reminder of the blessing and importance of hearing!
As Christians, we need to train ourselves to hear God’s voice because God is always speaking to us. Sadly, sin has affected our sense of spiritual hearing. Often, we lose our ability to hear God clearly, or become selective in our hearing, and forego the blessing of hearing and doing God’s will.
God reserves a special blessing for those who hear His words and obey them. How attuned is your “spiritual hearing” to what God is saying to you right now?
Prayer
Precious Lord, Please grant me a heart that is willing to hear Your Word and keep it, too. May I actively obey Your words when I hear them. Please bless me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Reflection
What is God saying to me? Do I know God’s voice? How can I recognize it?