Scriptures
Psalm 34:17-22 NLT
The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time. For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished. But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT
But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the LORD: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.”
Devotion
In English, the word ‘hearing’ can be quite passive. We hear sounds all day long - cars driving by, music playing, conversations in the background - and often, we just let them pass. But in ancient Hebrew, ‘Shema’, meaning to hear or listen, is anything but passive. It carries a much deeper meaning than just perceiving sound. It encompasses to hear and to obey; it’s a call to action. In fact, there isn’t a separate word for “obey” in Hebrew because by listening with such intent, it compels you to respond. It’s synonymous; to hear God is to respond.
Take the snooze button on your phone alarm as an example. It temporarily silences your alarm, allowing you to get a few more minutes of sleep. When your alarm goes off and the sound enters your ear, we have a choice… to wake up or to hit that snooze button and get a few more minutes of sleep!
The truth is, we have a choice when we hear from God, to respond and obey Him or to hit that snooze button and let the sound be passive. In Psalm 34:17, we see that God operates in a way that when He hears, He responds. It’s who He is. Oftentimes, we think obedience is a hard thing to do. It’s not and it’s simple! At first, it might feel uncomfortable and a big step to take, but as we come under the Divine Authority of God, it becomes easier and easier to live out the Divine Authority that we carry. Start to develop a habit today where when you hear God, you would respond.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, in everything that I hear from you today, I choose to respond.
I come out of agreement with any lie that it is hard or complicated to hear and respond to you. Holy Spirit, help me as I develop this faith in you.
Amen!
More post from Section 4: Living "Out"
See More