Matthew 7: 24-27

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

When I was a little girl my mother would ask me the perpetual question “Are you listening to me?”  In my little mind I wondered why I was being asked this question so many times.  Little did I know that my posture was demonstrating hearing instead of a posture of listening.  I would hear the same thing over and over but often did not change my behavior until I really paid attention to what was said and made a concrete decision to change my modus operandi. 

In the passage Jesus is challenging us to move beyond hearing to listening.  Notice He says “Anyone who listens and obeys me is wise…But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish…”  So real listening comes with obedience while just hearing can lead to us ignoring what is being said.  Therefore it is critical that we are not just hearers but listeners and doers of God’s mission.  In light of this, what has God said to you today? Are you paying attention, are you listening, obeying and implementing? Or have you forgotten already the word spoken to you?  What kind of foundation are we building God’s word on: rocky or sandy?

Spend some time reading God’s word and listening to His voice speaking to you. As the old song says ‘Reach out and touch the Lord as He passes by, you will find he is not too busy to hear your heart’s cry’. Write down what God is asking you to do and start even if it means that like Gideon you have to do it at night away from the naysayers.  Instant obedience is what the Lord requires.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Father unclog our ears so that we can really listen to you.  Forgive us for filling up on bad additives that block the lines of communication between us.  We want to obey you so give us what it takes.  In our big brother’s name Jesus.  Amen!