Ears to Hear

"Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Proverbs 8:32-33

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: Matthew 7:24  

Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator.  Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office that was listed.  When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background.

A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.  The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area.

After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.  Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on.  They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet.  The assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you for coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don't understand.  He was the last to come in, and we never got a chance to be interviewed.  Yet he got the job.  That's not fair!"

The employer said, "I'm sorry, but the last several minutes while you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in.  The job is yours.'  None of you heard it or understood it.  This young man did.  The job is his.'" 

Do we hear the voice of God in a world that filled with noise and clatter?  Are we listening for the message God wants us to hear?  Throughout His ministry, Jesus put a premium upon listening to His Father’s voice.

Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35  

So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:16 

When Jesus encountered the Father in those quiet times He entered with the purpose of listening to the Father.  Jesus was doing more than setting a good example for you and me to pray.  Jesus understood He needed time with the Father ... time to communicate (speaking and listening).  Jesus would later tell His disciples ... but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from the Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)  How do you spend your time with the Father ... doing all the talking with God not getting a word in edge wise ... or do you spend it listening? 

Sometimes it is not the talking, but the doing that causes us not to hear the voice of God, as in the scene in which Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus.  Martha is busy working and not happy that Mary is listening at the feet of Jesus instead of helping her.    And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."   Luke 10:41-42  

There are times for serving, as well, but most neglected are the times we should be sitting and listening at the feet of Jesus.  Have we settled for less?  As you go through your day, listen carefully amidst all the chaos of life for your savior’s voice.  He has something important to say to you.  

Scripture to Claim:
“Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the lord.” Proverbs 8:34-35