From God Speaking to Me Hearing

Daily Reading: Ezekiel 2-3

As he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet and I heard him speaking. (Ezekiel 2.2)

Devotional Thought: Aaron, my son-in-law, recently sent a group text to our family, asking, "Does anyone else find it odd that their wife starts conversations with, 'Were you even listening?'"  I thought it was very brave of him, and after the ringing in his ears stops, I think I'll give him the answer!

As most husbands and students would affirm, there is more to hearing than having sound waves register in your ears.  The same is true for us spiritually.

Ezekiel's experience shows how we move from God's speaking to our hearing:

·       God speaks.  God, in his grace, initiates communication with us.  He does it through the circumstances of our lives, through his Word, through the voice and pen of others, through history and nature, and through the nudging of his Spirit.

·       The Spirit enters us.  We are helpless on our own to understand this speech of God, but "when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth" (John 16.13).

·       We are set on our feet.  God wanted Ezekiel on his feet, a position of attentiveness, response, and action.  "But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me" (Acts 26.16).

·       We hear what God is saying.  God wasn't just giving "lessons" in truth.  He was sending Ezekiel on a mission, so Ezekiel needed to be ready to respond.  As we get in the position of obedient response to God's voice, we can hear what he is saying.  "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears" (1 Samuel 3.9).

Have you moved from God speaking to you hearing?

Prayer: Father, thank you for the grace you show when you speak to me.  As the boy Samuel responded to you when you called his name, so I say to you, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears."  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 24.7-10

7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah