Lesson 187: He Who Has Ears

Kentucky Chaplain David Chaltas

A friend of mine related a story of a man’s poor judgment at a wedding. It seems that the procession was over and that the bride and groom were standing in front of the preacher. The preacher had just stated that, “If anyone knows as to why this couple should not be joined in Holy Matrimony let him speak now of forever hold his tongue.” At that special moment, a friend of the groom yells out, “Oh NO!” and jumps out of his seat. Everyone is aghast; especially the friend who yelled out, since he was paying no attention to the wedding but was listening to a ball game via an IPOD and the opposing team scored the winning points! Realizing that all eyes had turned towards him, he sheepishly sat down and turned off his device. He was perceived to be listening but in reality was attending to something else.

How many times do we listen but do not hear? How many times has God spoken to us but we are attending to our own voice? There were two old friends who were in a big city ran into each other after being separated for years. One man was from the city and the other lived in the country. As they talked, they decided to go get something to eat and catch up on each other’s life. As they walked down the busy street with all the hustle and bustle of the town, the old farmer said, “Listen, hear that?” The city man was puzzled, as all he heard was the daily traffic and noise of a busy street. The country man walked over to a corner and there against the wall of a building was a small frog who was croaking.

“How in the world did you hear that amongst all the noise?” said an amazed city dweller. “It is all in what you listen for” replied the country man. Pulling out a silver coin from his pocket he said, “Watch this!” He flipped the coin high into the air and it hit the sidewalk. Immediately people stopped and turned around to see the direction in which the coin had fallen. “It’s all in what you listen for and using your ears that makes it important.”

The Bible mentions hearing on several occasions. In Matthew 11:15, the Bible teaches us that, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Proverbs 20:12 says, “The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made both of them.” Both have a purpose. Both were created to serve once we hear the word and see the light. In John 8:47, Christ declares, “He who is of God hears God’s words.” Jesus was very concerned with hearing and spoke to a deaf mute, saying “Ephphata, be opened,” and instantly he was able to hear. Our hearing of the word with our hearts makes our lives dependent upon ‘hearing’ and ‘receiving’ God’s messages to us. Those that know Jesus Christ, the Son of God, know His voice and listen to His calling. “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them and they follow Me.” John 10: 27. And God identifies us as His, as stated in Luke 8:21, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

The message is coming in loud in clear for those with listening hearts. God wants you to listen to his voice and then follow His will for your lives. Let us turn off the radio of the world and open the ears of our hearts to follow our God who hears our earnest petitions. Listening for the inward voice of Christ to do whatever He asks, I am your ‘all ears’ servant, the Old General