Prayer requests

Are we always listening for the voice of God?

I pondered this question recently after seeing how remarkable it was for a group of white-tail deer in our pasture to communicate with small noises that could be overlooked. A quick inhale or a sharp exhale, a stomp of a hoof, all of these meant something to the others. They depended on the one who was apparently "on lookout" to let them know if an unsafe situation arose.

How about us?
Are we open to the small signals that God can use to tell us when things are unsafe? Or when we can relax our guard and rest? Are we quick to hear when something is wrong? When we are almost ready to commit a sin?
I think many of us don't set out to disobey God. We just don't listen to Him. We pay no attention to His commands.....perhaps it's the noise of the world, or the hectic pace of our lives. Whatever it is, if we truly love and respect Him, we will follow this rule: "If you love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)  And oh, the shame we feel when we realize that we have not been showing respect and love to our Savior! Perhaps that is how the children of Israel felt:

...and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” (Exodus 20:19)

Why are we humans so scared to have God speak to us? Maybe it's because when God speaks, we either have to do what He asks, or tell Him we won't obey.....if it is simply one of God's servants speaking to us, we may feel "obedience is optional."

Why do we think that it's so hard to know when God is speaking? Yes, it's true, that He seldom speaks right out to us. But there are other ways....
Listening to God means that we must make a choice -- shut out the noise and bustle of the world, and focus our thoughts. David, the king and the man after God's own heart, gave us a model for this:

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,    for I have put my trust in you.Show me the way I should go,    for to you I entrust my life. (Psalm 143:8)

He asked for God's direction in the morning, at the beginning of the day. He wanted to hear from Him before he got into the battles that would come with a new day. Of course, we must find the time of day that works best for us, but morning is a lovely way to start with Him.

Listening to God means that we must read our Bibles regularly, and memorize portions of it, too. Since the Bible is the Word of God, He can use it in our daily lives, to instruct, protect, and guard us. It can comfort us and convict us of sin.  Regular reading and memorization will enable us to hear Him.

Today is our prayer request day......I hope that we will all read and study our Bibles today, as well as spend some time alone with Him in prayer.
If you have a request, won't you leave a comment? We will all join with you in prayer.