The voice of the Lord is powerful, the voice of the Lord is majestic.

~Psalm 29:4 NASB2020

The Hearing

“Are you listening?” I asked my eight-year-old grandson.

He sat, his eyes glued to the television screen.

“Rhodes, do you want to go with me?”

No acknowledgement. No movement.

“Rhodes, hello, Rhodes!”

Nothing. I leaned into his space and waved my hand in front of his face. “Rhodes?

Finally, he tore his gaze from the screen and looked at me with a blank expression. His intense focus prevented him from hearing anything else.

Although his behavior is typical of children, I recalled my behavior with God sometimes. I can get so caught up in my world that I tune out God’s voice. I cry out to Him, only to immediately wallow in my own despair and not listen for His answer.

The Listening

Things abound that keep us from hearing Him.

For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.

~Matthew 7:8 NASB2020

Selfishness can hinder us from listening to God. I can be so focused on myself that I don’t really want to hear Him. I don’t take the time away from my life to hear from Him. Often, this continues until something bad or unexpected happens, and suddenly we run to Him for an answer. 

But they refused to pay attention, and turned a stubborn shoulder and plugged their ears from hearing.

~Zechariah 7:11 NASB2020

Additionally, pride can prevent us from hearing God. I may go to Him with my own agenda all planned out, and the answers I want. I wait eagerly for Him to rubber stamp my requests or ideas. The ideas may be good, but they aren’t God’s. Who are we to tell Him how?

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.

~Deuteronomy 4:29 NASB2020

Finally, unbelief impedes hearing from God. He tells us that if we search for Him with all our heart and soul, He will be found. He’s not playing hide-and-seek. God wants to be found. He wants to speak to us. We must believe that He is a God who wants a relationship with us and remember that a relationship goes both ways. 

What are you bringing to God? Is it all about you? Are you figuring out the plan and expecting Him to approve it? Do you believe that He is God who listens and talks with you? Will He need to lean into your space and wave His hand before your face to get your attention?

Put away anything diverting your attention from hearing God.

Dear Lord, please help me to come to You with an open spirit, void of pride, selfishness, and unbelief, that I may hear Your voice and glorify Your name. 

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2025: Are You Listening: Sharon Davis: All Rights Reserved