Resources/Articles
Hearing Aid
Joshua, a very bright two-year-old, watched his mother baking cookies. He asked, “Please, may I have one?” “Not before supper,” his mother replied. Joshua ran to his room in tears, then reappeared with these words: “Jesus told me it is okay to have a cookie now.” “Jesus did not tell me,” his mother answered. Joshua said, “You must not have been listening, because that is what He said to me!”
Joshua’s motivation was wrong. His intent was to have a cookie. When the humble, respectful approach failed, he went about in sorrow. He had an experience with Jesus many claim to have today. He was “told” by Jesus what he needed. Several people have the same experience today. They believe the Lord “spoke to them.” At those moments when the Lord speaks to them, there is often a trial or personal need one has that triggers this “special revelation.” Those instances are similar to Joshua asking for a cookie. What he wants, his mother refuses to give. After selfishly going away to his room, he believes Jesus wants him to have one. It is the same attitude many display today when it comes to God’s revelation.
There is no questions when God speaks to us today, we need to listen, and seriously consider what He says. How is the issue. Some may wish for God to give a special sign or message to them to help them see and understand. Our God has already given that special message. It is His revealed word. “Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5.17). God’s complete will is given with the solution to every dilemma, trial, adversity, or decision we may face in life (2 Timothy 3.16-17). It will make us complete, if we would just abide in its teachings. What more can be added to something already complete?
There was another young boy named Samuel in 1 Samuel 3. He heard a voice as he was sleeping (vv. 1-14). God spoke in an audible voice to Samuel, to which Samuel said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant heareth” (v. 10). His ability to discern God’s voice came from his desire to hear God. He was not overwhelmed by a fearful circumstance, nor selfishly desirous of anything. He wanted to know what God wanted of him.
We may be disappointed when we do not receive a “special voice” from God today. Today, He speaks to us by His Spirit through the holy scriptures. Do we hear what God is saying to us? It may come from what you personally read yourself. It may come from the voice of a friend. Have you been able to discern His voice above your own will? Can you hear the Lord above the cry of the world? Are you hard of hearing or too busy to listen? To hear what God says, you have to have a “spiritual hearing aid” - a mind of humility to hear the voice of the Father.
