Daily Encouragement

Wednesday, December 14, 2022

"Listen and Pay Attention!"

Message summary: The voices of disruption, intrusion and deception will surely grow increasingly louder. May God help us to carefully heed the Voice Of Truth above all other voices!

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"Listen and hear My voice; pay attention and hear what I say" (Isaiah 28:23).

Ken and Audrey own a business we serve as chaplains in Lebanon County. They started it shortly after they married over 40 years ago when Audrey designed craft, floral and home decor items to supplement Ken's income as a dairy farmer. Her industrious talent grew to the point several years later that led them to sell the dairy herd and develop a wholesale business selling home decor and gift items. Their offices are within the large distribution center where the herd was once pastured!

The Mulls have maintained a family-like atmosphere at the company and are often seen walking through the facility greeting and visiting with the team. At the present time their employee base is about 65 people (mostly women). Each morning the employees gather for voluntary prayer. On our visits I have an opportunity to lead in prayer and share a short devotional.

At their Christmas party the other night they played a game from childhood, "Simon Says". In this game (has anyone not played it?) one player takes the role of "Simon" and issues instructions to the other players, which should be followed only when prefaced with the phrase "Simon says". But instead of saying "Simon says" they used "Ken says" or "Audrey says". It was different playing this game as an adult and most in attendance followed along quite well even amidst all the laughter and fun.

The key to staying in the game is listening carefully and paying close attention. It occurred to me that this game illustrates an important spiritual practice as well, the vital necessity of listening carefully, paying close attention to God's voice, following through with His commands of "Thou shalt" and in some matters, "Thou shalt not".

But how can we know it's the voice of God speaking? The teaching site gotquestions.com gives us guidance regarding this subject:

"Samuel heard the voice of God, but did not recognize it until he was instructed by Eli (1 Samuel 3:1–10). Gideon had a physical revelation from God, and he still doubted what he had heard to the point of asking for a sign, not once, but three times (Judges 6:17–22,36–40). When we are listening for God’s voice, how can we know that He is the one speaking?

First of all, we have something that Gideon and Samuel did not. We have the complete Bible, the inspired Word of God, to read, study, and meditate on. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17). When we have a question about a certain topic or decision in our lives, we should see what the Bible has to say about it. God will never lead us contrary to what He has taught in His Word (Titus 1:2)."

In so many ways someone or something is always trying to get in our face, usually trying to sell something. It sure does escalate more at this time of year. We've learned to tune many of these intrusions out but the intrusions just get louder, more persistent, deceptive and sometimes outlandish.

With all the distractions, intrusions and deceptions that clutter our daily life listening carefully and paying attention to the Voice of Truth is vital to a faithful walk with the Lord.

I discovered today's text in preparing this message. What a timeless call from God:

"Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say" (Isaiah 28:23).

This verse was originally directed to the leaders of Israel but it is a great call for each of us to carefully heed. The voices of disruption, intrusion and deception will surely grow increasingly louder. May God help us to carefully heed the Voice Of Truth above all other voices!

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen and Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, I want to be among Your followers who recognize Your voice and follow after You. There are many voices conveying messages filled with partial truth or outright deception based on their experience or ideology. Following these voices can lead us into error, so I want to listen to Your voice that speaks to us primarily through Your written word, through the prompting of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, through our redeemed conscience, through various circumstances and through the words or examples of others You place in our view. As we compare what we hear or see to the truth of Scripture we become familiar with Your voice and Your ways. May we pay attention to Your voice and follow in all Your ways is our prayer. In the name me of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Today's Suggested Music and Supplemental Resources

"Voice Of Truth" Video Casting Crowns

Audreys

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Stephen & Brooksyne

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