“I have told you already and you did not listen” (John 9:27).
LISTEN TO THE LORD
The Pharisees question the man whom Jesus had healed. The man, who was formerly blind, gave an account of what Jesus did and who he thought Jesus was. But the Pharisees were in no mood to listen.
The Lord will sometimes speak to us, but we fail to hear. The Lord’s words may come through his Word, or perhaps a brother or sister in Christ, or maybe through our circumstances, but we fail to respond to his voice because we are not focused upon him.
On one occasion God the Father spoke from heaven, but even so some failed to hear. “The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered” (John 12:29).
Moses spoke to the children of Israel, but they too failed to listen, “I told you, but you would not listen” (Deut 1:43).
Having the Lord speak to us in a personal way is a wonderful privilege, and the Lord will speak, and when he does we ought not to brush it off, because there may be a challenge in his words.
Perhaps there’s something that we need to do, or not do, which the Lord points out to us. So when we hear his voice it’s good for us to respond and not pass it off by saying it thundered. The Lord will also speak to us so that we may be taught. “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven” (Matt 16:17).
Simon, also known as Peter, was prepared and eager to listen to God’s words. He listened and was blessed to do so. The Lord is pleased to teach us if we are willing students. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist” (Eph 6:14).
The Lord will lead us into all truth. There is much falsehood around of all types, and it only leads to darkness. Yet, “The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day” (Prov 4:18).
The Lord will continue to teach us throughout our whole life, if we are willing to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn. How sad that some people refuse to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit. “I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer” (Jer 7:13).
The Lord called out to Adam in the garden, but he hid himself. These are the rebellious human acts that grieve the Holy Spirit, for God is still calling and it befits men and women to listen and obey the voice of the Lord. “All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations” (Isa 65:2), let’s make sure that when the Lord speaks, we are ready to listen.