Growth SpurtSample

Listening

A disciple is one who follows Jesus to become like Him. What does that “becoming” look like in real life? It looks like R.E.F.L.E.C.T. – and the “L” is for listening. The mature believer listens to God in the Word and in prayer. This listening is characterized by deep delight and instant obedience.

Joshua 1:7-9 gives us a great example of listening with obedience. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Meditate on the Word, let it be turning in your mind and thoughts every waking minute. Does this enter your thinking from hour to hour or day to day? The truth is the Bible is not just a book to increase your intelligence or make you smarter or more religious. It’s a lighted path in which to walk, a way of living in the world. If reading the Bible doesn’t lead to doing, then something’s wrong. None of this works if you don’t obey. But back to Joshua’s charge to us. He was a commander of a nation of people. He was preparing for the battle of Jericho. I love the appeal to strength and courage, the muscular promises that go with reading and obeying God’s word.

Why is it important to listen to God? God didn’t need the Ten Commandments. He gave them to us to obey. He is the Way, the Truth, the Life. He is our guiding Light. He is our Sovereign Father who knows the future and holds us steady in the day to day. He is our Counselor in trials. He's our Anchor in the storms. He is our Comforter in times of grief, loneliness and loss. He is our Savior who loves eternally. He is…the I AM. He loved us first, meaning God made the first move to love us when we were unlovable. Listen to His instructions and obey.