Listen to Devotion

While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Peter was talking. He was excited. He was making plans. He was telling Jesus what he thought should happen next. And then God interrupted him.

Matthew says, “While he was still speaking…” Before Peter could finish, God the Father spoke from a bright cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love… Listen to him!”

We need that interruption, too, because we’re good at talking. Good at planning. Good at deciding what we think God should do. But God doesn’t tell you to listen to yourself. He tells you to listen to Jesus.

I met with someone recently who told me he hadn’t been to church in a long time. Then he added, “But it’s okay. I pray twice a day.” I told him I was glad he prays. That’s a good thing. But then I asked him a question he hadn’t considered: “When do you make time to listen to Jesus?” Because prayer is talking to God. But God’s Word is how God talks to you.

Listen when life is going well. Listen when it isn’t. Listen when you’re calm. Listen when you’re anxious. Listen when you don’t know what to do because Jesus doesn’t just give advice. He gives promises.

He says you are forgiven and that God is with you. He says death won’t win, and eternal life is yours.

So, if you feel pulled in ten directions today, start here: Listen to him.

Father, quiet my heart and my mind. Help me listen to Jesus and trust his promises, especially when life is hard. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.