Listen!

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.”
Isaiah 55:3a NLT

Some of us have been mothers of small children and remember times that we told them to do something, and they may have said, “Yes, Mom,” but we saw no response.  They continued on, focused on what they were doing, as though they had never heard us. That makes me wonder how God must feel, when we do that to him.

In Isaiah 55:3 the verse above, and in many other places in the Old Testament where the word “listen” is used by God, the Hebrew word is “sama” which translates as “to hear, listen, to diligently obey.”  So, when God tells his people to listen, it does not mean merely that he wants us to hear, but God expects us to respond and obey, just as many of us wished our own children had done.

We belong to a heavenly Father who always hears our cries and sighs.  But more than that, we can be assured, that when God listens, he immediately responds.  Jesus promised that when we pray in his name, heaven moves in response.  Our prayers are listened to and answered. (Mark 11:24)

That should bring great peace and comfort to those who believe in Jesus, and believe his Word and all that is promised to us as believers.  In gratitude, let us choose, to not merely hear our God’s Word, but to truly listen with all our hearts, so that we might automatically choose to obey our heavenly Father.  Responding to him in love, as he responds to us in his gracious love, will bring him joy and place us firmly on the path to intimacy with God, which is our very purpose in life.  Let’s enjoy the new life that is offered to us without cost, as we listen to God! 
 
Dear friends, we bless you in your search for meaningful, rich, and abundant life, as you choose to listen to God, believe his Word and love him through your obedient response.  May you make your loving heavenly Father proud, not only by hearing his voice, but by immediately responding to him in faith and love. Be surprised by the joy you feel as you truly listen!  Amen.
 
Mary Sumner ~ August 18, 2021