Hearing God: Part Three by Ps Michael Podhaczky

Have you ever stopped and thought about the process of hearing? It is a marvelous thing to be able to listen to music, the sounds of nature, or the conversation with another person. I dare say that for most of us, it is something that we take for granted. We hear the world around us, but we do not hear the world around us. However, there are those who have been born with reduced hearing, which may be caused by any number of factors. Alternatively, you may have been accused of having selective hearing, i.e. hearing only what you would like to hear.

God made us with two ears, one on either side of the head - but we have only been given one mouth. Yet most of us can tend to talk twice as much as we listen. We can all admit being guilty on this point. On the matter of hearing, the Bible has a bit to say. Jesus also had something to say. However, Jesus’ statement may seem a little odd.

⁹ “And He was saying, ‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’ ²³ ‘If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear’” (Mk 4:9, 23 NASB).

⁹ “Then he said, ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.’ ²³ ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand’” (Mk 4:9, 23 NLT).

What an odd phrase, if someone has ears (excluding a problem, of course), they are going to hear. In fact, that is what ears are for - to hear. However, for Jesus to say this alludes to the possibility that there would be some who will not hear. It relates to those who have the right kind of hearing, those who have had their ears opened to God. Jesus is talking about an active spiritual hearing, i.e. actually listening and weighing up what has just been heard. This is to lean forward, really listen, understand and obey. To put it another way, Jesus was saying that He wanted to give the supernatural ability to hear God’s Word by actively leaning into Him. This can only come about through a supernatural birth and thereby a restoration of hearing.

Pause in His presence for a moment and think this over…