41 Will Comeনমুনা

  

DAY 4 — HEAR. LISTEN. RESPOND.

Devotion

Several years ago, a widely viewed television ad for Verizon Wireless popularized the slogan “Can you hear me now?” Verizon understood that nothing is more frustrating than a wireless plan with bad reception and dropped calls: Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? What? How about now? What about now? Hello? I think I lost you. Ugh.

The more towers Verizon erected, the fewer dropped calls they had. The fewer the dropped calls, the greater the customer satisfaction. It’s all about being able to hear the person on the other end, right? We can’t respond if we can’t hear.

Sometimes we don’t respond because we don’t like what we hear. That was certainly true of the army of Israel. Unfortunately for them, they were forced to hear Goliath’s taunt for 40 consecutive days— and not just once. “For forty days, every morning and evening, the Philistine champion strutted in front of the Israelite army.”

On day 41, Goliath stepped out from the front line of the Philistines—as always—and issued the usual challenge. David heard him.

The soldiers in the army of Israel heard Goliath.
The soldiers in the army of Israel listened to Goliath.
The soldiers in the army of Israel responded to Goliath . . . with fearful silence.
 

David heard Goliath.
David listened to Goliath.
David responded to Goliath . . . with faithful action.

Israel ran away from the enemy. David ran toward the enemy. The army of Israel was complacent and apathetic. David was confident and courageous. The army of Israel was intimidated by the enemy. David was motivated by the enemy. The army of Israel considered the giant’s taunt a setback. David considered it a catalyst.

Is your giant a habit or addiction? Is it your past? It could be a financial obstacle, physical burden, or maybe the feeling of inadequacy. Regardless, it’s time to let the voice of God’s Word drown out the voice of your enemy. Listen with ears of faith. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of your giant dropping.

AS YOU DROWN OUT THE VOICE OF THE ENEMY, WHAT DO YOU HEAR GOD SAYING TO YOU?