Listen To Him Today's lesson of encouragement is based upon something that we all need to be reminded about from time to time. The word "listen" must be pretty important because the instruction is given over 332 times in the NIV Bible. Webster's dictionary defines the word as, "To hear something with thoughtful attention: give consideration." The art of listening is not easy. We all enjoy being in control and that often means that we want to be the one speaking instead of listening. When we are not speaking we often are thinking about what we are about to say or some other thought instead of truly listening. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 19:20 that we should, "Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise." (NIV) I believe that by truly listening to others, sometimes we can receive blessings that we might have otherwise missed. The best time for us to listen may be when we need a little guidance. We may be in a situation where we are not exactly sure what to choose. Our pride causes us to lean toward trying to figure everything out on our own. You may be in a situation right now where you are trying to figure out in your own mind how to solve the problem. Perhaps now is a good time to just listen. I'm reminded of a story in my life that happened 30 years ago this fall. I've not shared this story before, so after 30 years it's finally time for the real hero to get the credit due him. I was playing quarterback for my high school football team during my senior year. We were in an away game and due to some penalties during our possession of the football, our team had a situation of third down and forever to reach the first down marker. (I believe we were on our own 25 yard line and had about 30 yards to get a first down.) I went to the huddle to call the next play. As the quarterback, I was the leader on the field. I called the plays; I directed the team. But suddenly I found myself in a situation, a trial, where I didn't really know what to do. I remember that I couldn't even think straight at the time. I went to the huddle, but no play came to my mind to get us out of our long distance situation. For the first time ever, I actually told the team, "I don't know what play to call." At that moment my best friend, Vaughan Smith, a lineman on the team, looked up at me and said, "Call a screen pass." I listened to him! I called a short screen pass where I took the ball from center, rolled out to the left a few feet and threw back to the right a short pass to a halfback. Do you know that the halfback caught that pass and raced 75 yards and scored a touchdown? Our crowd was cheering, and as I ran over to the sidelines, my coach yelled out to me, "Great call Robby!" I never told him that Vaughan called that play. We went on to win that game, and we ended up winning every game of that season except the state championship. The craziest part of this story is that the following Monday in the Macon Telegraph newspaper I was written up as the Macon area high school player of the week. They wrote in the paper that I threw a 75 yard touchdown "bomb". (I still have the article.) I only threw the ball about five yards. Thanks, Vaughan Smith! Here's the point of the story: Sometimes as leaders of our household, leaders in our jobs, leaders of our own lives, we get to thinking that we should have all the answers. Over time, we may stop listening the way we should. We even stop taking the time to listen to God. The Bible says, "Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting in my doorway. For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. But whoever fails to find me harms himself..." Proverbs 8:34-36 (NIV) You are missing out if you are not listening for the Lord. You may be thinking, "Robby, how do I listen for the Lord?" You do this by spending time with the Lord. Read His Word, LISTEN in church, speak with Him in prayer, listen to Christian advisors, listen to Christian music, and ask Him to speak to you. God tells us to, "Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can be compared with her." Proverbs 8:6-11 (NIV) God tells us here that nothing is more valuable than listening to Him and following His wisdom. One of my favorite Bible stories is what I will share with you now. I've wanted to share this with you for several weeks now, so perhaps now is the time that you are to listen. The story is shared in two Books of the Bible: In Matthew chapter 17 and in Mark chapter 9. The story is called The Transfiguration. Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain. There before the three men, Jesus appeared to them as he will appear to us in heaven. The Bible says, "There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus." Matthew 17:2-3 (This passage is where we are taught that we will be able to recognize others when we get to heaven. Peter recognized both Moses and Elijah even though these men of God had been dead for many years.) Now at this moment Peter did what we tend to do. He started talking instead of listening. Here is a moment like no other; Peter has before him both Moses and Elijah, along with Jesus. If there ever was a time for him to listen, now would be that time, but he didn't. He didn't listen in the same way we don't listen sometimes when God is speaking to our spirit. We may start talking or even let our mind wander away from the moment. This moment can be in church, Sunday school, or even in a quiet time when you are trying to listen for the Lord. Our minds will wander away to what we need to do instead of listening. (Listening takes practice.) So instead of listening Peter says, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Matthew 17:4 Now what was Peter thinking? These guys were from heaven speaking with Jesus, what would they need with tents or shelters? Peter was just talking instead of listening. Then God cut Peter off in mid-sentence. God knew that it was time for Peter to listen. The Bible says, "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them a a loud voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'" Matthew 17:5 That is A Good Word! We should follow that advice today and every day. Listen to Him. This is what He says: " Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways." Proverbs 8:32 "Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it." Proverbs 8:33 Go to church Sunday. Listen for the Lord to speak to you! Robby |
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