Must I Listen?
📖 By Oswald Chambers | My Utmost for His Highest
📸 Photo Credit: Unsplash
Hearing God or Ignoring Him?
"And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die." — Exodus 20:19
The Israelites stood at the foot of Mount Sinai, trembling at the voice of God. Instead of desiring direct communion with Him, they asked for an intermediary—someone to hear on their behalf, someone to buffer the weight of His presence. Their reluctance was not simply fear but an unwillingness to surrender to the reality that when God speaks, His words demand action.
We might not openly reject God’s commands, yet how often do we avoid truly listening? We prefer sermons, devotionals, and Christian books—messages delivered through others—rather than seeking God’s voice personally. It is easier to hear about Him than to hear from Him. If we listen to a teacher, we retain a sense of control: That’s their interpretation. But when we hear God directly, there is no room for negotiation. His truth presses upon us, and we either yield or resist.
Listening to God is not a passive experience. It is not merely receiving information but entering into relationship. To hear Him is to love Him, and to love Him is to obey Him. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The issue is never God’s willingness to speak but our readiness to respond.
A child who learns to recognize a parent's voice in a crowded place does so through familiarity, love, and trust. The more we cultivate intimacy with our Father, the more unmistakable His voice becomes amid the noise of life.
A Prayer of Confidence
Father, You have spoken, and Your voice is clear to those who listen. In Christ, You have given us everything needed to walk in obedience and love. We rest in the reality that Your Spirit dwells within us, guiding us moment by moment. We acknowledge that ignoring You is not an option for those who belong to You. Our ears are open, and our hearts are yielded. Today, we choose to listen—not with hesitation or fear, but with the joy of knowing that Your voice leads us into life itself.
Amen.
Final Thought
God’s voice is not distant or elusive. He has spoken through His Word, His Spirit, and His Son. The question is not whether He is speaking, but whether we are willing to hear—and to obey.