Are we listening?

Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. — James 1:22

A fascinating film made in 1950, The Next Voice You Hear, tells a story of a family with a typical amount of trials and tensions. Then, one night, the voice of God speaks on the radio. But not just their radio — God’s voice is heard throughout the world on every radio, saying the same thing at the same time.

At first people react with disbelief, then fear. After several days of hearing “The Voice,” however, people’s attitudes, actions, and priorities begin to change. The impact of what God was saying directly affected how they lived their lives.

I have heard people say, “If only God would talk to me! If He would just tell me what to do, I would do it.” The simple fact is that God has already spoken to us through His Word, the Bible. Do we listen to Him as He speaks?

The psalmist desired to obey God’s Word “continually, forever and ever” (119:44). And James warned about ignoring it when he said, “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).

How would you respond if God began to speak to you on your radio? We can be thankful that God does speak to us — not on the radio but in the Scriptures. May we be wise enough to listen and obey. — Bill Crowder                       

Instill within my heart, dear Lord,

A deep desire to know Your Word;

I want to learn to hear Your voice

So that Your will becomes my choice. — D. De Haan                                                                                 

READ: Psalm 119:41-48

In God’s works we see His hand; in His Word we hear His heart.

The Bible in one year:

•1 Kings 21-22

• Proverbs 20:21-30