Life Principle 13
Listening to God is essential to walking with God. (Ps 81:8)
Listening to God is essential to walking with God. (Ps 81:8)
Life’s Questions
Have you ever been in a situation when people simply didn’t listen to you, even though you knew exactly what you were talking about? The solution to the problem seemed obvious to you, but others were so busy voicing their opinions that you couldn’t get a word in edgewise. Frustrating, wasn’t it? Now imagine what it must be like to be God in heaven, with the most profound and complete knowledge about every topic in the universe. He has the wisdom that we need to solve all of our problems—even the deepest ones. Unfortunately, whenever we bow our heads in prayer to communicate with Him, we do all the talking.
Is that what you do? Have you been one-sided in your conversations with God, telling Him your needs instead of listening to His instruction? Life Principle 13 states, Listening to God is essential to walking with God. You can’t have a relationship with someone that you don’t listen to. If you want God to lead you and transform your life, then you need to hear what He’s saying.
What the Bible Says
Read Psalm 81. Why was it important for the Israelites to recall all the good things that God had done for them on the New Moon, Sabbath, and other feast days (Ps 81:1-7; see also Deut. 4:7–10)?
*** The New Moon meant the beginning of the month, in which the Israelites would give offerings to God. It was a celebration of how He had worked among them (see Num 10:10; Num 28:11-15).
How does recalling God’s past provision help you when you pray?
What did God want from Israel (Ps 81:8-10; Ps 81:13-16)?
In what ways was God being gracious in His commands?
How did Israel respond to God (Ps 81:11-12)?
Why do you think Israel refused to listen to Him? Do you fail to listen to Him for similar reasons?
What It Means
God wants the very best for those who believe in Him, and He knows exactly how to provide it. Unfortunately, the people of Israel did not trust Him enough to embrace what He was teaching them, and time after time they experienced the terrible consequences of their disobedience. They refused to listen to God, thinking that by doing so they were escaping His control. However, what they were really doing was rejecting His protection and love. Don’t make the same mistake. God’s commands are for your benefit. As Prov 1:7, Prov 1:32 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge ... Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Life Examples
Do you do all the talking in your relationship with God? Why or why not?
Read Ecclesiastes 5:1–3. What attitude should you have when you go to God in prayer?
What do many words in prayer actually reveal? Why do you think this is?
A true conversation involves both talking and listening.
Read Matthew 6:5–8. What does Jesus mean when He says that the hypocrites have their reward (Matt 6:5)?
Why is your prayer to be in secret, but God’s reward is out in the open (Matt 6:6)?
What does Jesus say about the use of many words (Matt 6:7)?
If God already “knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matt 6:8), then why should you go before Him in prayer?
Living the Principle
Do you realize the amazing privilege that you have in being able to go to God in prayer? You have the freedom to approach the God of all creation at any moment to ask for His wisdom, comfort, and power. Hebrews 4:15–16 affirms, “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Jesus understands everything that you’re going through and all that you feel, and His desire is to guide you through your troubles in a way that glorifies God and makes you into an effective, mature believer. However, He cannot help you if you will not walk with Him, and you cannot walk with Him if you won’t allow Him to lead you. And unfortunately, He cannot lead you if you refuse to listen to Him.
*** Why should you listen to God? Because He always knows what is best for you.
How will you live out Life Principle 13 this week? Are you willing to be quiet before Him and hear what He has to say? Create an action plan of how you will intentionally listen to God and commit yourself to obeying Him, no matter what He tells you to do. Also, discuss how you will keep each other accountable regarding those plans. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
Have you ever been in a situation when people simply didn’t listen to you, even though you knew exactly what you were talking about? The solution to the problem seemed obvious to you, but others were so busy voicing their opinions that you couldn’t get a word in edgewise. Frustrating, wasn’t it? Now imagine what it must be like to be God in heaven, with the most profound and complete knowledge about every topic in the universe. He has the wisdom that we need to solve all of our problems—even the deepest ones. Unfortunately, whenever we bow our heads in prayer to communicate with Him, we do all the talking.
Is that what you do? Have you been one-sided in your conversations with God, telling Him your needs instead of listening to His instruction? Life Principle 13 states, Listening to God is essential to walking with God. You can’t have a relationship with someone that you don’t listen to. If you want God to lead you and transform your life, then you need to hear what He’s saying.
What the Bible Says
Read Psalm 81. Why was it important for the Israelites to recall all the good things that God had done for them on the New Moon, Sabbath, and other feast days (Ps 81:1-7; see also Deut. 4:7–10)?
*** The New Moon meant the beginning of the month, in which the Israelites would give offerings to God. It was a celebration of how He had worked among them (see Num 10:10; Num 28:11-15).
How does recalling God’s past provision help you when you pray?
What did God want from Israel (Ps 81:8-10; Ps 81:13-16)?
In what ways was God being gracious in His commands?
How did Israel respond to God (Ps 81:11-12)?
Why do you think Israel refused to listen to Him? Do you fail to listen to Him for similar reasons?
What It Means
God wants the very best for those who believe in Him, and He knows exactly how to provide it. Unfortunately, the people of Israel did not trust Him enough to embrace what He was teaching them, and time after time they experienced the terrible consequences of their disobedience. They refused to listen to God, thinking that by doing so they were escaping His control. However, what they were really doing was rejecting His protection and love. Don’t make the same mistake. God’s commands are for your benefit. As Prov 1:7, Prov 1:32 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge ... Whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.”
Life Examples
Do you do all the talking in your relationship with God? Why or why not?
Read Ecclesiastes 5:1–3. What attitude should you have when you go to God in prayer?
What do many words in prayer actually reveal? Why do you think this is?
A true conversation involves both talking and listening.
Read Matthew 6:5–8. What does Jesus mean when He says that the hypocrites have their reward (Matt 6:5)?
Why is your prayer to be in secret, but God’s reward is out in the open (Matt 6:6)?
What does Jesus say about the use of many words (Matt 6:7)?
If God already “knows the things you have need of before you ask Him” (Matt 6:8), then why should you go before Him in prayer?
Living the Principle
Do you realize the amazing privilege that you have in being able to go to God in prayer? You have the freedom to approach the God of all creation at any moment to ask for His wisdom, comfort, and power. Hebrews 4:15–16 affirms, “We do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Jesus understands everything that you’re going through and all that you feel, and His desire is to guide you through your troubles in a way that glorifies God and makes you into an effective, mature believer. However, He cannot help you if you will not walk with Him, and you cannot walk with Him if you won’t allow Him to lead you. And unfortunately, He cannot lead you if you refuse to listen to Him.
*** Why should you listen to God? Because He always knows what is best for you.
How will you live out Life Principle 13 this week? Are you willing to be quiet before Him and hear what He has to say? Create an action plan of how you will intentionally listen to God and commit yourself to obeying Him, no matter what He tells you to do. Also, discuss how you will keep each other accountable regarding those plans. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to draw you into intimate communion with Himself and to transform your life, so that you can affect the world for the sake of His kingdom.
Life Lessons to Remember
- God is not silent (see Heb. 1:1–3).
- God always speaks for your benefit (see Isa. 51:1–16).