“Listen, that You May Live.”

Isaiah 55:3a. “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live; . . . “

Our life in the Spirit began with our new birth by faith in the gracious promise of life in Christ. We received the Savior into our hearts, believing that His atonement for the sins of the world applied to us. We welcomed Him in. And just enjoy this truth: He really came into our heart. He’s in us right now. He is speaking to our spiritual ears by the Holy Spirit of Truth right now.

Yet, many Christians today are living far beneath their inheritance in Christ. We are a part of the family of God. Our Father welcomes us to His table. Let’s talk. Let’s take turns, giving priority to the One seated at the head of the table. God is speaking profoundly and personally to each of us, and His voice gives us life. Paul exclaims in Romans 8:15b-17a,

“. . . you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. . . .”

“Listen, that you may live!”

Let’s try this analogy: God has already downloaded and installed the “Spiritual Communications App” in your heart. It is time to find it, click on it, open it up, and enjoy it. The “app” is a living Person. When you use the sacred “App,” it is beyond social media. It is spiritual media, or we might say, “meatia.” Welcome and engage with what God reveals to you, and post your prayers personally. You can search on this site, or we might say, ”. . . in His sight,” for answers, for wisdom, for solutions. Okay, enough of my analogy. (Notice that I avoided any reference to a “church mouse.”)

You can hear so much that God has been waiting to share with you. Things like encouragement, love, wisdom, reassurance, freeing conviction, directions. And most of all, a deepening understanding who your heavenly Father is, and greater glimpse of the glory of Jesus Christ, and an exciting prospect of what the Holy Spirit’s power can do when it is released through your willing heart. To hear His voice personally is to experience eternal life right now.

“Listen, that you may live!”

Eternal life has already begun for you, dear Christian. Abundant life is available in an unfolding way right now. To engage in the continuous walk with the Author of Life requires an initiative on our part. Isaiah has just told us plainly how to experience it.

We must listen!

Other translations use other words, all of which clarify and intensify the meaning: “Open your ears completely,” “pay attention,” “come to me with your ears wide open,” “submit and consent to the divine will,” and “listen now.”

Here’s how to start: Find a time to be quiet and along with God in your thoughts. Tune out all distractions. Turn the media off. Identify and lay aside all preoccupations. Have a pen and tablet handy. Turn your thoughts and focus intentionally to your Lord. Whisper a prayer, “Lord, I am listening to You right now so that, as You promised, I may live!”

Then, rest in His presence and . . . wait.