HEAR and LIVE

 

Some time ago, our large church community was shaken to the core by some unpleasant news. A very well-respected minister within our extended church circles took his own life. I was devastated for his family and congregation because I remembered him visiting our local church when I was a child. I had seen him on Christian TV, and my mom often listened to him on Christian radio. What puzzled me most was that he had served the church faithfully for many years, regularly spending time in the Word as he ministered to others. It felt discouraging to lose someone you often looked up to. I didn’t understand, so I began asking God in my prayers, How can this happen? As I was prayerfully in the Word, the Holy Spirit drew my attention to the following passage.

Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates,...For whoso findeth me findeth life...(Pr.8:35-36 KJV)

The passage continues with:

.

..But those who fail to find me harm themselves;...(v.37 NIV)

I suddenly realized that it’s not enough to simply read the Word—you must allow it to speak directly to your heart. God’s Word becomes truly life-giving when we listen for His voice.  When we hear him, it resonates deeply within us. Notice how it says, ‘those who find me, find life.’ Listening and waiting for him to speak is like seeking out a hidden treasure. It is waiting to be discovered.  When we truly hear his voice, it breathes life into our spirit.  

Blessed is the one reading, and those hearing the words of the prophecy...; (Rev 1:3)

… the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. (John 5:25)