January 9

How many of us actually listen to hear God speak to us? Not many. How many of us actually expect God to convey His heart to us in any way at all, let alone in an audible voice! The fact that we don’t anticipate communion with our Maker is a sad indictment against our spiritual condition.

If God is who He says He is and does what He says He’ll do, we should be listening for His voice all the time, for He desires fellowship with His people. From the beginning of creation, He has sought His loftiest handiwork that He might walk with them in the Garden and speak with them face-to-face. As our first ancestors hid from Him, unfortunately, so do we.

But the Lord says of those who fear and worship Him that they “…shall He teach in the way that they should choose. He Himself shall…(share) of the secret of the Lord.” (Psalm 25:12-14) Evidently, it is the Lord’s intention to teach His people not only the way they should choose for personal guidance, but also to share of His secrets with them. God longs to impart the deep things of life and faith and time and eternity to the ones who reverence Him!

If He desires to be close to His people, to whisper in their ear of His love and His truth, what is the hindrance? It’s us! If we can’t hear Him, it’s because we have allowed our free will to turn us from Him to other pursuits. If we will but return to the appointed place of sweet communion, if we will delve into His Word and listen with our spirits to His Spirit’s teaching, we shall discover that our spiritual ears have indeed heard Him—and in hearing, we shall be blessed.