What can we do to pay more attention to God?
Deuteronomy 13:4“Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.”
John 8:47“Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.”
John 10:16“I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”
We can depend on God. The more we depend on him, the more we will direct our attention toward him.
Isaiah 5:12They furnish wine and lovely music at their grand parties—lyre and harp, tambourine and flute—but they never think about the Lord or notice what he is doing.
Ezekiel 40:4He said to me, “Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things. Then you will return to the people of Israel and tell them everything you have seen.”
We can think more about God. When God is a regular part of our thoughts, we will be more aware of what he is doing.
1 Kings 19:11-13“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Psalm 46:10Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.
We can quietly listen for God. A still, quiet spirit helps us focus our attention to God. A whispering God is more powerful than a shouting neighbor.
Psalm 85:8I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.
Proverbs 4:20My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.
Hebrews 2:1So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it.
Hebrews 3:7, 15That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts” . . . Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”
We should make listening to God a priority worthy of our immediate attention. If God truly is your God, you will listen to him.
Psalm 78:1O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying.
Matthew 11:15“Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”
Matthew 13:12“To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”
We can choose the attitude of being willing to do whatever God wants. Our willing attitude will help us pay attention to God. Listening is an attitude, not merely an action. As our respect for someone withers, so will our listening. As our love for someone grows, so will our listening.
Isaiah 50:5The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away.
Jeremiah 13:15Listen and pay attention! Do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken.
Jeremiah 17:23“But they did not listen or obey. They stubbornly refused to pay attention or accept my discipline.”
Ezekiel 2:7“You must give them my messages whether they listen or not. But they won’t listen, for they are completely rebellious!”
Ezekiel 12:2“Son of man, you live among rebels who have eyes but refuse to see. They have ears but refuse to hear. For they are a rebellious people.”
We can be humble and submissive before God. A rebellious or proud spirit can keep us from paying attention to God. Rebellion and pride turn our affections inward. Humility turns our affections outward.
1 Samuel 15:22Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.”
Isaiah 42:20You see and recognize what is right but refuse to act on it. You hear with your ears, but you don’t really listen.
Ezekiel 33:31So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.
James 1:22-23Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.
We can obey God. If we think God is worth obeying, we will. If we think he is not worth obeying, we won’t. We always confirm our commitments by our actions.
