Thursday | Listen & Hear
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 14:26
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:10-13
Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10:38-42
In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
but you have given me an open ear.
Psalm 40:6
Thursday | Listen & Hear: Have a posture of listening, stillness, attentiveness today. Intentionally and repeatedly quiet your heart and your mind as you are going about your day. Perhaps you will sense that God is saying something to you. It could be a word of encouragement, or a specific way to take action in your life. God can and does speak anytime, but during this season we are asking him to speak to us on this day, trusting that he will honor our discipline to listen and desire and hear his voice more clearly.
We may do a lot of reading and thinking about God, talking about God, and even talking to God, and all of that is good! But when do we listen? Do we actually expect God to speak to us? Do we expect him to respond to our prayers with real answers? Give us clear direction when we are faced with a hard decision? Give us wisdom and counsel? Encourage us? Instruct us? Ask us to do specific things? When Jesus ascended to the Father after his death and resurrection, he sent the promised Holy Spirit, who would be our Helper and Comforter, the real presence of Jesus dwelling with and within us. We learn to recognize this “still, small voice” not only as we quiet our hearts and pay attention, but as we are willing to “hear,” that is, to respond with obedience and our whole lives.