Scripture - Ps 81:13-16 "Oh, that My people would listen to Me,That Israel would walk in My ways! 14 I would soon subdue their enemies,And turn My hand against their adversaries. 15 The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever. 16 He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you."
Observation - God is constantly trying to get his people to listen to Him and further to follow Him. His ways are completely contrary to our ways. His plans are above our plans, His ways above our ways. Throughout all of time God has been trying to get His people to listen and to follow. Ps 81 says that "If my people would but listen to Me - I will fight for them and beat their enemies. I will turn My hand against their adversaries." Listening to God has such rich and strong benefits. Conversely when we are set on doing the things that we want - Ps 81:11 says that He let them follow their own ways and their own devices. We can't have it both ways. We need to listen.
Application - Learning to listen to God is a skill that should be quickly learned by the believer. As we are raising our children one of the first and ongoing lessons we teach is how to listen to us. We guide them away from a hot stove, we direct them away from busy streets, we teach them Godly ways. We give them constant direction that keeps them safe in life and helps them live productive lives for Christ. We want them to listen to us and to our wisdom so that they can make smart and safe decisions. The same way our father is wanting me to listen to Him. His desire is to give me a future and a hope. Not to take me down terrible paths that lead to terrible things. God's desire is that I win and not lose, that I are successful and not failing. God wants the very best for my life. But in order for me to gain those things I need to listen to Him. I need to learn how to find his voice amongst all of the other noise in my life. I need to find the voice of God and tune my ear to that voice and be quick to listen. There are so many things that would be used to distract and deter. But finding the voice of God and listening will provide the finest wheat and hone from the rock and I will be satisfied.
Prayer - God help me to tune my ear to you daily. God I need your help to listen. I know that you are speaking regularly. You have something to say and I want to listen. God I want to know your direction and your heart and I want to know what pleases you. God my desire is that my life simply please you and that I am walking in your ways everyday. Calm the noise around me so that your voice is the loudest amongst all the others that are vying for my attention.
