DEVOTION: Are You Listening? by Kathi Macias

“Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears” (1 Samuel 3:9).

Billy Graham was once asked if he really believed God spoke to him. He answered something to the effect that God speaks to everyone, but not everyone is listening.

What a powerful reminder that is to us in this day when we so desperately need to hear His word and receive His direction! So why is it that so few would positively and absolutely declare their belief that they hear from God—not just occasionally but regularly?

I believe it is because few of us (yes, I’m talking about Christians here!) actually spend much time faithfully reading and studying God’s Word. How can we expect to hear from God when we neglect reading the words He has written specifically for our learning?

Most of us as believers would verbalize our belief that the Bible is God’s Word, and that it is relevant to us today—even necessary for our spiritual growth and survival. And yet…how many of us can find time to do just about everything except daily converse with God in and through the Scriptures? For though God speaks to us in other ways—through the still, small voice inside us and/or through other believers, or even an occasional sign or wonder—His primary way of communicating with us is through His written Word. 

Everything we will ever truly need to know is contained in the Scriptures—and yet we neglect them…to our peril. Worse yet, we then complain that God doesn’t “speak” to us as we would like Him to do.

Billy Graham had it right, as did the little boy Samuel, who said, “Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.” If we want to hear from God, we need to get into His presence and LISTEN with open ears and willing hearts. 

And the place where we are most apt to hear His voice is while we are reading and studying His words.

As the time grows short, beloved, and the darkness presses in, there is no better place to be than immersed in the inerrant words of a faithful and merciful God. Read them, meditate on them, memorize them—and act on them. And be thankful that, so far, we still live in a country where we can do so openly and without persecution.

Unlike fallible human beings, God will never give you bad advice or steer you in the wrong direction. And the more time you spend listening and obeying His words, the sweeter and clearer His voice will become….

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 40 books and ghostwritten several others. A former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Kathi has taught creative and business writing in various venues and has been a guest on many radio and television programs. Kathi is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences. She won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband.