One of the reasons I prefer to be in the pulpit rather than sitting in the pew on Sunday morning is that I am such a poor sermon listener. I favor letting someone else do the hard work of listening.
Isaiah 50:4 & 5 emphasizes the importance of listening. “The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught.” The speaker recognizes that his tongue is a gift of God. The tongue is the main means by which we express what is going on in our minds. However, before he is able to offer a sustaining word to those wearied by life, he must listen.
His tutelage is under none other than the Lord God who is the source of all knowledge and wisdom. “Morning by morning,” God awakens him. When God awakens him, he also arouses his ear to listen to His Word in order that he might have a fitting word to share with those who need to be uplifted.
Psalm 116 points out that in our relationship with God listening and speaking is a two way street. He loves the Lord “because He has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call on Him as long as I live.”
We hear of God listening and speaking a gracious word of mercy in the Gospel lesson from Mark 9:14-29. A father comes to Jesus with a son who is possessed by a spirit that makes him mute. The father pleads out of his frail faith, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus hears the prayer, though he at first takes some umbrage at the man’s weak faith. “If I can! All things are possible for one who believes.” The father of the child cries out, “I believe; help my unbelief.”
Jesus orders the spirit out of the boy. It is never to return. Afterward the disciples asked why they had failed in their efforts. Jesus replied that they had failed to use their tongue to speak with God.
How are we doing in our conversations with God? God is listening. Are we speaking? Just as important, are we listening?
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