How can we ensure we are listening when God "called" as in Jeremiah 7:13? Hearing God’s Call: The Lesson of Jeremiah 7:13 “‘And now, because you have done all these things,’ declares the LORD, ‘and because I spoke to you again and again but you did not listen, and I called to you but you did not answer…’” (Jeremiah 7:13) What Went Wrong Then—And Can Go Wrong Now • The people treated God’s temple as a lucky charm (Jeremiah 7:4) while hardening their hearts. • They heard repeated warnings but chose comfortable disobedience. • Refusal to listen led to judgment (Jeremiah 7:14-15). → The same pattern threatens anyone who keeps religious forms yet resists God’s voice. Principles for Attentive Listening • Humble Reverence – “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit” (Isaiah 66:2). – A teachable spirit positions the heart to catch God’s whispers. • Immediate Obedience – “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). – Obedience sharpens spiritual hearing; delay dulls it. • Consistent Intake of Scripture – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). – God’s written Word tunes us to recognize His spoken urgings. • Ongoing Conversation – Samuel’s pattern: “Speak, LORD, for Your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10). – Regular, unrushed prayer keeps the line open. Practices That Keep the Heart Tender • Daily Reading Plan – Read aloud; listening ears form while vocal cords move. • Journaling Obedience Steps – Note promptings, corresponding verses, and follow-through. • Silent Reflection – Five minutes of stillness after prayer invites confirmation or correction. • Corporate Worship & Teaching – “Faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17); God often speaks through the gathered body. • Accountability Friendships – Share what God is saying; community encourages action (Hebrews 10:24-25). Common Obstacles to Hearing God • Unconfessed Sin (Psalm 66:18) • Busyness & Noise (Mark 4:19) • Selective Hearing—wanting affirmation, not transformation (2 Timothy 4:3) • Cynicism—doubting God still speaks (Hebrews 3:12-15) Putting It Into Daily Life 1. Start each day with Psalm 139:23-24, inviting God to search the heart. 2. Read a set portion of Scripture, asking, “What command or promise requires my response today?” 3. Note any inner nudges that align with Scripture; act within 24 hours. 4. End the day reviewing: Did I heed or ignore? Adjust tomorrow accordingly. Key Reinforcing Scriptures • James 1:22—“Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Proverbs 3:5-6—Trust and acknowledgment bring clear direction. • Isaiah 30:21—“When you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” • Hebrews 3:7-8—“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Staying responsive today avoids the tragedy of Jeremiah 7:13 tomorrow. |
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