Devotions with Pastor Donny

Two Ears, One Mouth
1 Samuel 3:(8-10)
8 A third time the Lord called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 So Eli told Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, ‘Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

There is a gentleman named Bernie Krause. He records nature sounds for film and television. He relates that in 1968 in order to get one hour of natural, undisturbed sound (no cars, airplanes, etc…) it would take him about fifteen hours of recording time. Today, in order to get that same amount of quality sound, it takes him two-thousand hours of recording time. In a world of such distractions, it can be extremely difficult to hear anything clearly. Testing 1,2,3….testing 1,2,3…

Samuel grew up in a very different kind of a world. He wasn’t assaulted with a steady stream of cell phone recordings, voice-mails, and text messages. His eyes weren’t assailed with the visual clutter of billboard and media mania. The challenges of the human condition, however, were still the same in principle. Hearing and listening are two very different things. Samuel didn’t understand that what he was hearing was the voice of God. He needed Eli to teach him how to listen. When he learned how to listen, he would begin to understand what he was hearing.

Jesus promised us in John chapter 10 that his sheep would learn how to hear His voice. If we are willing to come under the discipline of the shepherd, he will be faithful to lead us onward to green pastures. Am I conducting my life in such a way that shows that I am longing to hear His voice? When was the last time I spent any significant time in solitude and silence to nurture my relationship with Him. James, the brother of Jesus, beckons to us to be slow to speak and quick to listen. I guess there was a reason that God gave us two ears and one mouth.
Pastor Donny