The new security cameras took longer than we thought to hook up.  As a result, one stayed on the dining room table facing the kitchen for several hours.  At one point, I heard the “ding” notification on my phone that motion had been detected in the kitchen.  When I looked at the video feed I saw that my black tuxedo kitty, Gatsby, had jumped on the table.  An absolute no-no in our house.

I pressed “speak” on my phone and in a deepened voice I sternly said, “Gatsby! Get off the table!”

For a millisecond, it seemed as though he levitated before he bolted off the table and into the other room.  In reality, he was startled by a voice from thin air, which had caught him in the middle of doing something wrong. 

Don’t you wish that a big loud voice would alert you to your own misbehavior?  I know I wish there was a voice that startled me into doing the right thing.  Maybe it would yell my name as I start think sinfully…or maybe it would just clear its throat when I start to stray off a righteous path.  

Oh wait.  *Palm to forehead moment.*  There is a voice that corrects me…I just have to tune in and actually listen.  If I truly listen to the Lord, I hear Him tell me when He’s pleased and when He’s displeased.  He becomes my big booming voice to correct my behavior. 

How do we implement listening to God into our daily lives?

1. Prayer life. Most certainly this seems easier said than done.  It takes discipline and time, but we are assured that when we pray God hears us.  Likewise, when we pray coupled with listening, we benefit.  “And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” 1 John 5:15 (NASB)

2. Studying the Bible.  There is a distinct difference between reading your Bible and studying your Bible.  Study means greater understanding through digging deeper into verses.  2 Timothy 3:16 (NASB) states “All scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness.”

3. Meditate on Scripture.  Simply stated, we need to pair our prayer life with studying the Bible so that we have an opportunity to actually meditate on the Word.  Joshua 1:8 (NASB) directs us in this manner. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written…”

Through prayer, studying my Bible and meditating on the Word, I draw closer to the Lord.  And when I draw closer, I am able to hear His voice.  Scripture tells us in John 10:27 (NASB), “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”  

The reality is that I already have the voice that desires my success and is willing to correct my behavior.  I don’t need a kitty cam to scare Gatsby off the kitchen table…I have a mighty God.

I pray you make time this week to pray, study and meditate…all in an effort to hear God’s voice.

~Emily