“Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me” (Psalm 81:8).
Psalm 81
T wo ears, one mouth. The ratio says everything!
You want a good relationship with your parents? Listen! You want a great marriage? Listen!
You want to be a great parent? Listen!
You want to do well professionally? Listen!
You want to solve conflict? Listen!
You want to go deep in a relationship? Listen!
You want to live in peace? Listen!
You want a high G.P.A.? Listen!
You want to be an effective leader? Listen!
And… you want a GREAT relationship with God? L-I-S-T-E-N!
Our listening capacity is almost limitless. The human ear has more circuit potential than all of New York City combined!
In John 10:27, Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” The lamb that listens to the shepherd’s voice and obeys the commands, finds green pasture and grows to provide many cuttings of wool for his master. The lamb that ignores the shepherd’s call, gets lost from the flock and perishes in the fangs of the predator.
- Psalm 81:11-12 – “But My people did not listen to My voice, and Israel did not obey Me. So, I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices.”Would there be anything more feared or more horrible to experience than to hear God “give us over” to the stubbornness of our heart? What does it mean to be “given over” by God?How do good listening skills eliminate that awful position?
- Isaiah 55:2(b)-3(a) – “Listen carefully to Me, incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live… and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.”
What is the benefit of using good listening skills in your relationship with God?
- 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.”John 16:13– “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”What are the two most important tools God has given to us to hear His voice?How are you doing in your use of those tools?
- Psalm 81:13-14 – “Oh that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their adversaries.”What are God’s rewards for good listening skills as they apply to our relationship with Him?
- James1:19– “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”What is God saying to you in terms of your practice (or lack of) good listening skills?How can you improve?
“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”
From today’s scripture, how does THE Shepherd inspire you to shepherd your flock? John 13:15
“Listen carefully to Me, incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live (Isaiah 55:2b).
Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication
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