Articles
God's Word Is Calling
The Apostle Paul once noted that God’s will is not far removed from us. “But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down), or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).’ But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your heart and in your mouth’—that is, the word which we are preaching” (Romans 10:6-8).
The fact is, God’s word is shouting to us. “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts up her voice in the square; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the gates in the city she utters her sayings” (Proverbs 1:20-21).
City streets are noisy. There is talking, traffic, music from passing vehicles, an occasional siren, and often construction. In Bossier City a B-52 may well be flying overhead, too! God’s word, God’s wisdom, is pictured as trying to yell over all the noise for us to listen. We might think of that from several perspectives.
First, God wants us to take time to listen to Him. Our days are filled with communication flying at us from all directions: personal conversations, radios, television, social media, computers, tablets, cell phones, billboards, books and magazines, snail mail, email, and on and on. We’re processing a lot of information. Some of it is by our own choice and some of it not. All of it consumes our time and attention spans. Will we heed the plea to set aside some time to listen to God?
Second, God wants us to pay attention. Hearing and listening are not necessarily the same thing. Hearing is physical, listening is mental. If we read a section of Scripture without making the effort to focus and reflect, it won’t sink in; and if it doesn’t sink in, the effort is profitless.
Third, God wants us to accept His word. Much of what we hear is different than His wisdom; in fact, it is contradictory to it. Human philosophies, societal priorities, scientific theories, trendy notions, the testimony of “experts,” and even a great deal of preaching—much of it is just noise, nonsensical noise.
Divine wisdom says by listening to it, “So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:4). “It will be healing to your body and refreshment to your bones” (v. 8).
God’s word is calling. Are you listening?
