by Elizabeth Haarberg

The importance of listening to God.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

We recently visited Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. It’s an amazing collection of art, and my children loved going to the museum. There are self-guided tours to learn more about specific pictures.

This picture is of my daughter evaluating a piece of art that I’ve never seen before. The artist took multiple still pictures while including some videos of the subject. The picture, while blinking and having some limited movement, does not speak.

How often do we look at God like this picture? He sees us, smiles at us, and moves, but doesn’t speak or interact.

God spoke all through the Old Testament. Abraham, Moses, and others had direct conversations with God.

In the New Testament, Jesus said he only moved when His Father instructed Him.

“So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.”
John 5:19

Jesus’ ascent to heaven triggered the gift of the Holy Spirit to come and fill all the believers. The Holy Spirit is described as the comforter, counselor, and advocate, who with the Word convicts us of sin. He is a guide, teacher, and intercessor. How could God do all this through the Holy Spirit, if He’s not talking and communicating?

So how do we hear Him?

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
John 10:27

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:17

“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:3

If you are interested in more verses, please message me.

This is an important subject to God, given the number of verses dedicated to hearing Him. The Bible is our instruction book. To apply the information is the next step. Being in communion with the Creator is how we hear His voice.

God’s goal for humanity has been the same since the origins of creation: to have a relationship with us. All we need to do is surrender to Him.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado