A LISTENING EAR II

Listening to the word of God is life giving. As we listen we hear words like these, “For the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth, and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:10-11). What the Lord says and instructs to be written is for listening and this then gives us (if needed) something to say. “Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, ‘Behold, I have put my words in your mouth’” (Jeremiah 1:9). We need an ear that is full before we have a mouth that is full. Otherwise we are just a fool.

All listening breaks into this crescendo, “God, after he spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, at the end of these days, has spoken to us in His Son” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The prophets talk about God, the Son reveals Him. “The word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), and he still dwells among us and we still must listen. Listening turns all the many words into a focus on The Word, Jesus. Listening becomes gazing at Jesus, our reasoning develops into looking at the Lord. Our focus and meditation shift from the head and the ears and move to listening with our hearts. Then we hear. Then we know.

“Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God.” Jesus