Worship Start Day 5

DEVOTION 5 – May My Ears Hear You

A few weeks ago, I asked the question, "Do you expect anything to happen when you show up on Sunday?"

Do you expect that today could be a milestone day in your faith journey? It could be the day you choose to be baptized, surrender to the Lord, quit that habit, or submit your language, finances, or career to Him.

I think we often show up with very little expectation that anything will happen during the service. Me included.

That is why we proclaim:

As we gather, may my ears hear You.

We all need a word from the Lord.

What if you heard:

• I love you. (Isaiah 43:4 or Jeremiah 31:3)

• I am with you. (Isaiah 41:10)

• I forgive you. (1 John 1:9)

• I have a plan for you. (Jeremiah 29:11)

• You don’t have to worry any longer. (Philippians 4:6-7 or Matthew 6:34)

• You are not going to be alone forever. (Hebrews 13:5 or Deuteronomy 31:8)

• It will get better. (Romans 8:28)

• Stop that habit. (Ephesians 4:22-24)

• Quit that job. (Colossians 3:23-24 – seeking God’s will for your work)

• Reconcile that relationship. (Matthew 5:23-24)

My hope is that each week when we gather, you are able to connect with the God of the universe in a personal way—that the voice of the Lord, whether audible or impressed upon your heart, speaks clearly to you.

The second half of this is moving from hearing to doing. In fact, in Hebrew, the word shema ("to hear") never meant simply to listen, but carried with it the expectation of responding as well.

We are somewhat good at listening to what God says, but do we actually hear it? Do we respond to it? Do we change as a result of it?

May our ears truly hear Him.