Hush, Listen, Hear

A number of years ago, I'd been feeling increasingly N.Q.R. "Not quite right" is actually a huge understatement regarding my condition. Things came to a head one morning when I was so ill that I had to break my word regarding a commitment I'd made. I yielded to my family's insistence that I see a doctor.

I was somewhat prepared for the doctor's "bad news" facial expressions while he took my blood pressure and pulse, and looked at the results of the ECG. Nothing, however, prepared me for his question, "Did you drive here?" That told me I was very much at risk in my present condition. I was given prescription medication to relieve immediate symptoms, and sent to "pathology", "radiology", and "dietology" — in fact, a whole team of people — for tests and consultations, and a further appointment was made to see the doctor again for the results and diagnosis.

In all the years of my covenant relationship and times of fellowship with my Lord Jesus, I don't think I'd ever listened as attentively as I listened to that doctor that day. The diagnosis: "diabetes disease". The way he explained things and instructed me in a workable strategy, more medications, and treatments was as if we'd be working in partnership to bring about the stabilizing necessary for me to live somewhere near a reasonable quality life.

Result: I am well and happy today. Thank You, Lord, for Your ever-loving grace.

But here is the best part. The wonderful truth is that I am so much more attentive at listening to my Lord these days, and to others. Yet, I wouldn't have gone as far downhill, healthwise, if I had listened more to Him back then, rather than me doing most of the chatting.

Jesus, speaking to His disciples, said, "If any man has ears to hear, let him hear." And He was saying to them, "Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured to you; and more shall be given you besides." (Mark 4:23-24 NASB)

God always gives more when we fully value what we have already. "More shall be given you besides": more desire to hear, more wisdom and understanding, more faith in the truths we hear, more blessings from what we hear, more delight in what we hear, and so on.

Life is much more positive for us, and for those we relate to, when we take the time to listen to the Lord for His guidance, answers to prayer, and promises in His given Scriptures. And He does have the most appropriate sense of humour.

Prayer: We praise Your holy name, Lord, for the honour it is to listen as You speak to us. Thank You for the love, the wisdom, the teachings, the holiness, the forgiveness, the encouragement, the righteousness, the peace, and the joy. Indeed, thank You that we can hear You and know Your divine personality and attributes. Thank You. Thank You. In Jesus' beautiful name, we pray. Amen and Amen.

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