Hosanna Restoration Church

Are we tuned in? Are we eavesdropping on heaven? Do we gladly listen to the words of God? Have we come to realize that God can speak through anyone and anything? Do we expect to hear Him in every situation and circumstance that comes up in life? Is His voice the first thing we listen for? Are we glad to hear Him?

These are just a few of the questions that came to my mind as I considered these words of Jesus. To some of them I could answer a quick yes, to others it was a conditional yes, and to others I needed improvement.

I absolutely am glad to hear God’s word. I love to hear what He says to me, even when He is correcting me. I know that He speaks is many ways and can speak through anyone, but I may need work on the gladly listening for His voice through some.

I am certain he speaks in the midst of storms. I am just as certain that He is specific in what he says. If someone wants to say that God sent destruction on people, then I believe He would tell them Himself that He is destroying them. God did not mince words with Pharaoh. He told him straight up and gave him plenty of examples of His power, why would He be vague with us?

I am certain that God speaks words of comfort and encouragement to those who are listening for His words in the best of times and the worst of times. Jesus pointed out that the evidence of one who is God’s child is in the fact that we gladly listen to what He has to say.

God most certainly speaks to us individually and corporately through those who share His truth. The truth sets people free. It always offers the path to freedom not to bondage. I am not interested in things that lead to bondage. We should not gladly hear things that push us away from God. Jesus said that He was the light and as long as we followed Him we would be in the light. There is no fear in the light. Darkness brings fear. The fear of the Lord is not found in darkness or vagueness. God is crystal clear in His intentions. We can gladly hear what our Father has to say.

Jesus told the Pharisees that He had much to say and much to condemn them for, but He was not going to do it, because He only said what His Father wanted Him to say. Even to the Pharisees Jesus was offering light and refusing to condemn them. He went so far as to say that once they put Him on the cross they would see that He was telling them the truth. We know that many of them did believe after that, but still some refused to hear the truth.

We should be glad to hear what God has to say. It really does make a person feel good. Even when it exposes our dark areas, if we submit to the truth, the release is well worth the brief moment of conviction.

Remember to listen gladly to the words of God. It proves He is our Father!