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We want to hear God’s
voice. But how? Sometimes, it seems so difficult. But is it? There
are some keys Jesus has given that will help.
Mark 4:9 (NKJV)
9
And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him
hear!"
Jesus used this phrase to describe those who would stop and listen
more deeply to hear Him. It’s more than hearing words. It’s far
more than physically having ears. Hearing God’s voice, receiving
His teaching, means willing to set aside time for Him: to listen,
to respond, to let Him speak to your heart.
Here are some keys to help us understand how to hear God.
1.
THE HEART OF THE HEARER.
Hearing begins with a listening heart.
1 Samuel 3:7-11
Speak Lord for Your servant is listening
Samuel was a child who hadn’t yet learned to hear
God’s voice. He was humble—with the same teachable spirit that
Jesus tells us to come with. He said Your servant. He wasn’t full
of himself but his heart was saying, “I’m WANTING to hear what YOU
say—not fight, not struggle, not push away Your Word, not wrestle
with You for control. I just want to hear You.”
2.
THE EARS OF THE HEARER.
EAR CONSECRATION.
You understand you are devoted to God.
You make purposeful choice about that to which you will listen;
you turn away from distractions.
SINCERE
SURRENDER.
How you hear is crucial. If you only want to hear
what you WANT to hear—with a preconceived notion and desire rather
than what God is truly saying-- then you will be in distress and
difficulty. Come to an end of wanting YOUR OWN WAY.
See Isaiah 30. The first part, the people say to
their spiritual leaders,
“Just
bring a word we want to hear.” Prophesy what makes us
feel good. But our
RESTORING GOD hears those who
CRY OUT TO HIM, ADHERE TO HIM, who FASTEN THEMSELVES to HIM with a
hunger to hear His voice.
IS. 30:18-21
Is 30:21 You’ll hear a word behind you saying this is the way walk
ye in it
3.
THE COMMITMENT OF THE HEARER
Your hearing ear is tied to your commitment to do
what He’s saying
Isaiah 50:4-5 (NKJV)
4
"The Lord
GOD has given Me The
tongue of the learned, That I should know how to speak a word in
season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by
morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned.
5 The Lord
GOD has opened My
ear; And I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away.
Isaiah 50:4-5 (MSG)
4
The Master,
GOD, has given me a well-taught tongue, So I know how to
encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, wakes me
up, opens
my ears to listen as one ready to take orders.
5 The Master,
GOD, opened my ears,
and I didn't go back to sleep, didn't pull the covers back over my
head.
4.
THE SURRENDER OF THE HEARER
THE “HUNGRY TO HEAR” PRAY, “GOD, OPEN MY EARS”
Psalm 40:6—my ears You have opened.
(literally DIGGED).
In the context, it’s not about my works and offerings You desire
Lord, but a heart to respond.
Literally, like taking a cue tip to clean out your ears.
Sometimes it takes help to clean and clear out our ears to help us
hear more clearly. Lord, whatever is choking out my ability and
opportunity to hear YOU and YOUR VOICE, by Your grace, dig that
out.
That surrender to Him, to whatever He might say,
releases your your hearing heart to be able to hear His voice.
SOME SIMPLE WAYS TO HEAR
1.
Through the BIBLE, His Word; specific verses
2.
Through hearing His voice to you personally
3.
Through people—pastors, leaders, sermons, friends.
4.
Through life events—changes can lead to new directions
5.
Through subjective dreams, visions, prophetic words that AGREE
WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
Remember, His Old Testament name is Jehovah,
which literally means the Self-Existent One who REVEALS HIMSELF.
He reveals Himself through JESUS. His Holy SPIRIT speaks to us,
teaches us, leads us. HE WANTS TO SPEAK TO HIS LISTENING, loving
people.
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