Tuesday October 10, 2023

Today is Tuesday, October 10 and we are exploring what the Bible says about listening.

As I enter a time of prayer, I pause and become still. I breathe slowly and deeply and focus myself on the presence of God’s Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and loving God, I am here to listen for your voice speaking in my life. Reveal the message you have for me today through the power of your Holy Spirit. Teach me what it means to listen to my brothers and sisters in the faith in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I listen for God speaking to his people in the ancient words of Psalm 81.

Hear me, my people, and I will warn you – if you would only listen to me, Israel! I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. But my people would not listen to me: Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways. Psalm 81:8-13

Pause and Pray

God manifests himself to humanity in tangible ways. From the beginning of time God has been speaking. God is always speaking, the question is, are we listening? At the baptism of Jesus, God spoke. Jesus came from Galilee to be baptized by John in the Jordan River. At the moment Jesus came up out of the water the Spirit of God descended on him like a dove and God’s voice was heard speaking from heaven. God said, “This is my Son, whom I love: with him I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). God also spoke at the Transfiguration of Jesus. Jesus’ clothes became dazzling white and a cloud appeared. God said, “This is my son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Mark 9:2-7

I imagine climbing high upon the mountain alongside Jesus, Peter, James and John. What a privilege to be invited to experience this holy space. I anticipate, like Peter, I would not know what to say and probably respond with something incoherent and non-helpful. I hear the voice of God speaking from the cloud. Once again, as he did at Jesus’ baptism, God claims his only begotten Son. His beloved. This time however, God adds a command, “Listen to him!” I consider how high of a priority I place on listening to Jesus. I listen to his words in Scripture, his teachings, his commands, his instructions, yet all of my listening competes with the influential voice of the world. I want to clearly distinguish the voice of Jesus Christ from the voice of the surrounding culture.

Ask: How can I place a higher priority on listening to Jesus? What can I do to improve my ability to listen for God’s voice speaking through trusted people and faith leaders in my church community?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I treasure these daily moments on the mountaintop alone with you. Show me your glory and reveal the truth of your beloved son, Jesus Christ. Teach me how to listen to him. Direct and show me the next steps to listening to Jesus’ teaching and obeying his word. Put faithful people in my life and give me ears to listen to their teaching and wisdom. I read Mark again, listening for the message you have for me today.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” Mark 9:2-7

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider where I find myself in this scripture. When do I enjoy time alone with God and Jesus? What is my mountain top? How does Jesus lead me to the place where I am most able to experience his presence and hear his voice? Where am I able to witness his glory? Where do I see him at work? How does an encounter with the glory of God change my life and my perspective? I quiet myself and try to hear what God wants to say. There is so much noise around me all the time – the pressing noise of a busy life, the constant clamor of the media, and the chatter of my own mind. I want to listen to God. He speaks to me with clear identification about Jesus, “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” This pronouncement changes my life.

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I ask you to invite me to a place where I am completely alone with you. Teach me how to quiet my mind and heart in such a way that I am learning to listen. I invite you to speak wisdom and truth into my life. Help me to slow down and listen to others. Speak to me through the voices of a faithful community. Amen.

See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. Exodus 23:20-21

As I leave this time of prayer and go throughout my day, I strive to listen to Jesus, God’s beloved Son. I slow down to listen to God and listen to others.

Amen