We
each have a lot of choices to make on a daily…even minute by minute…basis. If
you read your Bible daily…even occasionally…you know that God expects obedience.
Listen and obey is a common directive, as you will find both those words in at
least twenty-two verses.
“What
shall I do?” was a question asked several times by people in the crowds
following Jesus. He replied to them, “Love God and love your neighbor as
yourself” which summarizes the Ten Commandments. How do you achieve that level
of obedience? May I suggest that you begin with prayer? There are many examples
in the Bible of times that people prayed before they started doing anything. Maybe
we should be like David and ask God to listen to our prayer.
I am praying to you because I know
you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Psalm 17:6
Pray. Listen.
Obey. Listening is a two-way exchange of information. If only one person exclusive
speaks and the other just only listens, then it is not a mutual conversation.
It is a monologue or a dictatorship if one person dominates the conversation.
God wants to hear from us individually—and speak into our hearts. What can you
do?
The Gossips
Utah's Arches National Park
Are listening to each other?
Would they listen to God?
However,
if you do not listen to me or obey all these commands, and if you break my
covenant by rejecting my decrees, treating my regulations with contempt, and
refusing to obey my commands, I will punish you. I will bring sudden terrors
upon you—wasting diseases and burning fevers that will cause your eyes to fail
and your life to ebb away. You will plant your crops in vain because your
enemies will eat them. ... And if, in spite of all this, you still disobey me,
I will punish you seven times over for your sins. Leviticus 26:14-16, 18
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, once again…I’m listening. It is powerful listening to You…and
seeing You interact with those who “follow” You. Open my eyes and heart to see things that I
can do for our church and for our community. Thank you for listening to me and
for the blessings that I anticipate coming to me and flowing through me.
Meditate.
Read God’s word, then listen and obey.
Verse
of Salvation ~ I will praise you seven times a day because all your regulations
are just. Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.
I long for your rescue (salvation),
LORD, so I have obeyed your commands. I have obeyed your laws, for I love them
very much. Yes, I obey your commandments and laws because you know everything I
do. Psalm 119:164-168
© 2025 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.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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