Nancy Taylor Tate
“Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:9
Some years ago I lived on Long Island. One day when I was about to go to the bookstore, I felt to call a particular lady first. I stopped and thought about it. There was nothing urgent in what I was going to tell her. To my way of thinking it did not matter if I called now, or later. I decided to go to the book store first then call her when I got home.
The feeling was so strong I was still wondering about it as I sat at a red light. I watched as a car, three cars in front of me let a car pull out in front of them so they could turn left. But instead of turning left then straightening their wheel to go up the road they kept turning left, running right into the side of my car, crushing the door where I was sitting. I could not believe it! That instant I realized the prompting had nothing to do with the importance of what I was going to say on that phone call. It was the Lord trying to protect me, had I obeyed.
I have always remembered that experience. Year later when parking my car at a bank I felt not to park in the spot I was in. That made no sense to me, but the cost of disobedience is a good teacher! I moved my car. As I looked out my window I saw two men stop a lady and go into her purse right where I would have been walking, had I not obeyed.
Matthew 13:9 says, “who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” This applies to spiritual truth, and it is important we cultivate a hearing ear. But there is also a sensitivity of spirit that relates to our ability to be led by the spirit of God in our daily walk. As we keep our heart soft before the Lord, He will not only be able to reveal truth to us, He will lead and guide us.
Numbers 9:15-23 is a passage of scripture I prayed into for many years as I asked the Lord to give me a sensitive spirit and obedient heart. Here we see the children of Israel being trained by commandment to be sensitive and responsive to the presence of the Lord. It did not always make sense. It was not always convenient. But they learned to move when He moved, and wait when He waited. As I read these scriptures and prayed I asked the Lord to bring me into this same close relationship with Him.
Psalms 40:6 says, “Mine ears hast thou opened.” The Hebrew says, “digged.” How many times have I prayed Lord, open my ears! Dig out all the rubble, anything that hinders me from hearing from You! The Amplified Bible says, “You’ve given me the capacity to hear and obey you.” If I have that capacity, then I want to develop and grow in it!
My prayer, if you would like to pray with me:
Lord, I ask for a hearing ear. That You would cause me to hear. That I would understand Your word, and know Your heart. That You might lead me and guide me. As I yield myself to You and Your Holy Spirit, help me Lord I pray….