One day my son Alex and I took a “listening walk” around our neighborhood. We circled the block in silence and then settled on the front step of our house to name the sounds we heard. I mentioned geese honking and the scuffing of our shoes on the sidewalk. Alex talked about a car horn, the grinding of garbage trucks retrieving trash, and an airplane’s engine overhead.
Listening is an important skill. It requires us to abandon our own inner dialogue and to let go of the urge to express our views. Listening has a place in our everyday lives, as well as in our spiritual lives.
As a young boy, the prophet Samuel listened to God. Samuel woke up one night when someone called his name. When he recognized God’s voice (1 Samuel 3:7-9), he said, “Speak, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). Samuel’s response was humble and open. He humbly identified his “servant status” before the Lord, and He invited God to continue His message.
Samuel made it possible for God to go on by staying quiet. In fact, Samuel spoke only five words. His silence allowed God to tell him about some impending events (1 Samuel 3:11-14) and showed that the one who speaks less will often listen more.
Proof that Samuel had truly listened to God came the next morning when his superior—Eli the priest—asked what God had said. “Samuel told Eli everything; he didn’t hold anything back” (1 Samuel 3:18). Being able to repeat what God says to us shows that we’re tuned in to Him.
Although God spoke to Samuel directly (1 Samuel 3:1), He usually speaks to us today through His Word. When we read the Bible, are we open, humble, and silent enough to absorb what He’s saying? Can we share God’s message with others? Is our walk with God a “listening walk”?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 4:23-37
More:
Read Psalm 85:8 to see how we can benefit from listening to God. Read Job 37:2-5 to hear a description of God’s voice.
Next:
When was the last time you invited God to speak to you through the reading of His Word? What is the relationship between listening and silence?
dabac on October 12, 2012 at 3:34 am
Thank you for a good message! It reminds me of James 1:19:
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.”
jennifer benson schuldt on October 12, 2012 at 3:10 pm
dabac,
Great verse related to this topic. In challenging circumstances, our first reaction may be to get angry and comment about the situation. But, God’s Word calls us to listen first. This may mean gathering all the facts, understanding another person’s point of view, or considering other options for a solution to a problem. Thank you for this reminder!
GChoo on October 12, 2012 at 12:02 pm
Thanks for the reminder Jennifer.
When i look back to my spiritual life in the past, i can see why i was not growing in knowledge, humility and wonder of our Great God and His plan for me. Reason is simply i didn’t take the time to be in silence and to listen to what He was saying to me in His Word. I would rush through my devotion because i was sucked into the hustle and bustle of daily life, work and even church work.
Whether we are single or married, we are bound by busyness of this world we live in. In order to be in silence and listen, we do need to remind (pray) ourselves and to make the effort to spend time with God. When we are in that relationship, you will feel the peace, joy and hope whatever our circumstances. Praise God!
jennifer benson schuldt on October 12, 2012 at 3:00 pm
GChoo,
Good point about rushing through devotions. It takes time to stop and listen for God’s voice through reading His Word.
I met with a friend yesterday morning—a person I hadn’t seen in several months. Before I stepped through her doorway, I had to remind myself not to blab on and on about recent events in my world. I truly wanted to hear what was happening in her life, and how she was adjusting to some recent changes. I hope I actually did what I intended to do. Sometimes we have to do the same thing when it comes to the time we spend with God. In our hearts, before we meet with Him, we can whisper to ourselves, “Just be quiet, and listen…” : )