It was only a few years ago that all four of us (2 parents, 2 teens) got hearing tests because it seemed like we could never hear each other and communication was very frustrating. What we found out is that we were all fine according to current standards, so the problem was not in the hearing, but in the listening- or lack thereof. Go figure! Part of the problem today is that we are always so busy that we don’t take time to really listen.
Be still, and know that I am God… Ps. 46:10
We need to learn to discern the voice of God by listening to Him. It is when we quit doing other things, stop all interruptions that would distract us, and allow Him to reveal Himself to us, that we begin to hear the Lord’s voice. The more time we spend in His presence, the more we will be able to recognize when He is speaking- by experience.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb. 5:14
We only learn a person’s voice by listening to them long enough. It isn’t our own talking that helps us know their voice, or know them as people, but when we listen to them we learn the sound of their voice and more about them personally. So it is with God. The more time we spend with Him, the more we know Him, therefore the more we know His voice when He speaks. Here are some warnings about not hearing the Lord.
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. Heb. 12:25
While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. Heb. 3:15
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (fiction). 2Tm. 4:4
Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Jer. 5:21
Stephen told the council that their ears were stopped; in other words, they intentionally blocked their ears (Ac. 7:57 ) from listening to the truth. Jesus said the people’s hearts “waxed gross” (were fat), their ears were “dull of hearing”, and their eyes closed (Mt. 13:5). This must have grieved Him. Are we much better? Do we only listen to the things we approve of and ignore the rest, or do we accept all the Word of God as vital to our lives. The Lord wants to speak to us if we will only hear; but first we must ‘be still’ in His presence and listen.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD: Am. 8:11
...He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear To hear as the learned. The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away. Is. 50:4,5 NKJV
We need to hear the Lord.