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Week 4: Listening to the Son
Make the Way Straight and Welcome
Week 4, Day 1
One cannot listen as clearly when there is interference. A muffled sound creates confusion and doubt regarding the clarity of the message. When John the Baptist came onto the scene, the priests and Levites were sent to ask him who he was and what he was doing. John affirmed that his purpose was in fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah, “a voice crying out in the wilderness, ‘make straight the way of the Lord’” (John 1:23, ESV). What does it mean to make straight the way of the Lord?
When building a normal road, the twists and turns, rises and falls of the road follow the lay of the land and the curve of the mountains. However, when a road is prepared for royalty, the way is made straight. Mountains are moved, curves are straightened, the path made smooth. When we prepare our listening ears, how can we make the way straight for the Lord?
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Week 3: Listening to the Father
Prophets Christ Spirit
Week 3, Day 7
Hebrews 1:1-2 (ESV)
Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
This past week, we have been listening to the voice of the Father, most recently as He spoke through the prophets. Next week, we will focus on listening to Jesus, the Son. The following week, we will be listening to the Holy Spirit. As we have seen, and are reminded by the author of Hebrews, God speaks in a plethora of ways, showing the importance He places on listening and how much He values communication in our relationship with Him. And as the writer of Hebrews continues in chapter 2:1 (NIV):
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Reflecting on the first half of our listening exercises (today starts Day 21 of 40), how have you heard God’s voice?
What is the overarching, consistent message you have been hearing from the Father as Good Shepherd and Creator?
How has this transformed your relationship with God?
What do you hope to hear through the next half of our listening exercises?
Take some time in communion with the Father, thanking Him for the many ways in which He has spoken throughout history. Thank Him for the consistent messages He has always expressed—enumerate them, draw them, or celebrate them in song.
We would love to hear from you! Please share with us what you are hearing and how you are growing in your devotion to listening.
This blog post is taken from the book Called to Listen: Forty Days of Devotion. To order a copy of this book, please visit our website and invite a friend to participate in the study with you. The book includes additional guides and questions to be reviewed in a small group context weekly.