Hearing what He says

 

 

A video shows small children, even babies, who were deaf and given aids to hearing. For the first time they can hear the voices of their parents and their faces are alive with joy. I’ve also met a child who was kept quiet since a babe because his parents were in hiding. Now free, he can speak but does not know how. I complain at times that I am not heard, but I know nothing about communication problems compared to these little ones.

It is not a surprise that the word for SAY or utter or speak is the most common verb in the OT. God is a communicator and we are made in His image, made to communicate. Even with the disaster of Babylon, the world is involved in learning how to talk to those of other languages. Learning to express our ideas and feelings is a big part of education. Learning the other side of it, to listen, is also a vital part of human life.

“Speak, Lord, for thy servant listens” is an important prayer. Realizing that the writers of Scripture had a commitment and said, “As the Lord lives, what my God says, that I will speak” is also vital. Even more important to all of life is saying this and meaning it: “Whatever the Lord our God says, declare to us and we will do it.” If being heard is important to me, how much more does my Creator want me to do more than merely hear Him but to also do what He says to me.

Think of the power of His words. He said, “Let there be light” and “there was light.” He spoke promises to His people, promises and covenants that have been kept. He warned them of disaster when they didn’t listen and those disasters happened. We humans speak and try to influence others with our words but we do not have the power and control that the words of God have. Compared to Him, we mutter and babble.

In the NT, the word for say and its variations is about expressing oneself orally or in writing, in specific ways and to inform others, even to call or name something. It is about asking and replying and about making declarations. Many times Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you . . . .” to tell His followers something of importance to their lives. Often His instructions were, “But I say to you . . . .” as He showed them the contrast between human and sinful ways of thinking compared to the way that God speaks. For instance . . .

Matthew 5:43–48. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

In this, Jesus is saying that to be a complete person and without defect, I’m to be like Him, like God. The good news is that because He died for my sin and offers new life, His life, to me, this is possible. Faith begins the transformation and even though it will not be complete until I see Him face to face, because of this “Word of God made flesh” I and all of His followers can do what God says. Without Him and the power of His Holy Spirit, this never happens.

GAZE INTO HIS GLORY. Focusing on Jesus is impossible without reading and hearing what He says. His Word is the agent by which He transforms His people. Peter said it well:

1 Peter 1:22–23. “Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.”

The Bible also says that “faith comes by hearing.” I need to be a good listener to what God says. Also, I know my heart tends to follow whatever my eyes and ears prioritize. Whatever Jesus says is life-changing for those who hear Him, believe Him, and do what He says. These are good reasons to give attention to Jesus, yet the best reason is His love, love expressed in all that He does and every word He says.