We Need to Listen to God’s Word

“That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. And large crowds gathered to Him, so He got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd was standing on the beach. And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, "Behold, the sower went out to sow; and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. And others fell on the good soil and yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:1-9

Moses was God’s chosen spokesman. However, it took time to prepare him for the role he would play in Israel’s future. After years of banishment, Moses was finally ready to receive God’s call. The Bible says: “When the LORD saw that he turned aside to look [at the burning bush], God called to him...” (Exodus 3:4).

Moses did more than turn physically toward a burning bush. He turned his heart toward the things of God. He was ready to listen. God knows the moment we are ready to receive His message. It is then He offers His encouragement. If we are wise we will be still and listen for His voice. However, many people refuse the gospel’s message. They drift into complacency and rebellion against God. Their soil is not fertile, and the seeds of God’s truth quickly die, scorched by selfish desires.

There is never a time when the call of God is unimportant. Learning to listen for His voice and responding according to His will is highly crucial to our spiritual growth. Do you listen to God with an open and obedient heart? Obedience was the key to Moses’ success, and it is the same with us today.

To sit passively and listen to godly sermons with no response is a deadly activity.