“Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen! . . . But no, my people wouldn’t listen.”
— Psalm 81:8, 11 (NLT)
God wants his followers to listen to him. He gives serious warnings to us when we are taking a wrong path and headed in a bad direction. Like a frustrated parent, he too often sees his people refuse to listen to his warnings.
You may have a talent for hearing only what you want to hear. When you’re on the phone with a friend, you can easily tune out your mother’s call to help cook supper or your dad’s warning to finish your homework and get to bed. Maybe you don’t want to be disturbed, or you just don’t like what they’re saying. Many times, we ignore our heavenly Father the same way.
We are told that the whole Bible is useful for straightening us out and teaching us to live our lives rightly (see 2 Timothy 3:16). Through the Bible, the Lord warns us of pitfalls and steers us in the right direction. God also sees our hard times and wants to comfort us. God is still speaking to us through his Word. Are you listening?
More to Explore: Isaiah 1:19 – 20
Girl Talk: Do you listen to what God has to say in the Bible? If not, why not? If you do pay attention, what do you do with the instructions and warnings?
God Talk: “Lord, I need to listen to you better. Help me make the changes that need to be made in my life. Amen.”
From Chick Chat by Kristi Holl