Be Quick to Listen

Prayer – Lord, over and over I’m hearing You say that I need to listen. To listen more than speak. That is hard for me. I always have an opinion and assumedly speak it right out…if I know anything about the topic of discussion—or can make a quick judgment on the action in some show I’m watching with my husband. With this recent study, I’m convicted that I need to apply Your word, God, to my life and not be so quick to judge others. I’ve been pretty self-righteous…as I’m getting older and have been blessed with some wisdom and understanding. I see myself sometimes as a wise old lady…but as I look around me, I can see that I am neither old nor wise. Show me, Lord, what I need to do as You had James point out about caring for the orphans and widows and refusing to let the world corrupt me. I’m listening to You, Lord; speak to me.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. ... If you claim to be religious but don't control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:19-22; 26-27            

 

Meditate, then look in the mirror. What do you see?

Anger is ugly—especially when it foolish. Did you see any of that when you looked in the mirror this morning? I guess the important thing is to notice that you do have ears. Ears to hear. Ears with which to listen. God is faithful about listening to you. Are you faithful about listening to Him? The key to James’ message is not to just listen and hear, but to put God’s words into action. To be doers of the word. Being compassionate towards others is important. Consider that if you were in the shoes of those who need care—the widows and orphans—you would want to be cared for. Treat others the way you want to be treated—the great Golden Rule. Could that include listening, too?

Keep listening. There is a reward for listening to God, especially to the Holy Spirit. Do you have a hunger for fruit—particularly from the Tree of Life?

Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

Are you ready to be victorious for the Lord? It has to start with listening so that you hear. Me, too. I’m listening! Now with this lesson from the Lord, I am quick to listen.

Sandhill Cranes
Listen for their distinctive honking.
Migrating North near West Richland, WA
Are you listening for the Lord, too?

Verse of Salvation ~ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I (Paul) want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:9-11

 

© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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This daily devotional helps illustrate the character of Jesus.

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