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If I talk and talk and talk without giving you a chance to get a word in edgewise, how would our relationship be? Not very good, deep, or long lasting. And if you do all the talking and never give me a chance to talk, our relationship still won’t be very healthy.
It is the same with God. If I talk to him and present my requests without setting aside any time to listen to what he has to say, how will our relationship be? Not very good, deep, or long lasting.
We have one mouth and two ears, but we always have trouble listening attentively. When we listen to someone else talk, we are often thinking about how we are going to respond or the story we want to tell as soon as they stop talking.
Yet again, this happens with God. We are quick to speak and slow to listen to his voice.
So, today, I encourage you to spend some time listening to God and what he wants to reveal to you through Scripture.
One way to listen to God is by spending some devotional time in the Word.
Take advantage of the verses listed below or other favorite verses of yours, in order to hear God’s voice. Meditate on the verses that jump out at you.
You can ask that God speak to you during this time, but avoid making requests. If your own thoughts enter in, answer them with scripture and/or ask that God help you concentrate more on listening.
It’s a spiritual discipline, which means it requires practice. Don’t get discouraged if you find it hard to spend focused time listening today. You’ll get better at it!
I have listed below some of my favorite verses for listening to God’s voice.
Isaiah 61:10-11
Psalm 31
Psalm 27
Exodus 14:14
Romans 15:13
Philippians 4:19
Isaiah 41:10, 13
Psalm 139
Matthew 6:25-34
Zephaniah 3:17
Lamentations 3:22-27
Ephesians 3:14-21
Psalm 63
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Today, I invite you to go through the steps of the spiritual discipline known as Lectio Divina. This discipline can be practiced with any portion of Scripture.
Before you start, spend some time in silence, preparing your mind to hear what God says to you through that passage of Scripture.
The chosen verses (Philippians 1:3-11 or whatever verses you choose) are read four consecutive times, each time asking a different question and following each step with another period of silence.
1. Read the passage listening for a word or phrase that jumps out at you. Savor and repeat the word without reflecting too much on it.
2. Reflect or meditate on the word or phrase while reading through the passage a second time. You might ask, “What is it in my life that needed to hear this word today?”
3. Respond. Is there an invitation or challenge that God is calling you to? What is your response to this invitation? Perhaps this scripture has touched a place of pain, frustration, or anger. We can pour out these feelings in the safety of this moment of communion with God, and in prayer.
4. When our response has subsided, we read the passage one last time, in contemplation—to rest in God and resolve that we will walk with Him in our daily life, inspired and encouraged by the word or phrase that we have heard through this exercise.
Portions taken from Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton and Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster.