by Abenezer Amanuel

Who is in your ear?

I have been recently thinking about this question and I wondered what God was trying to teach me. I mean, off the surface the question is trying to ask, “Who are you listening to?” So, I thought about the voices around me and the people that God has placed in my life and found ways to answer the question. Then I remembered the story of Ruth and Naomi, Paul and Timothy, Jethro and Moses. Naomi was in Ruth’s ear and gave her instructions that would later have her enter the genealogy of Jesus Christ. It was a voice from God that connected Ruth to Boaz who redeemed her. Paul is often seen encouraging young Timothy and even Titus in teaching the word of God with the authority they have received from God which I believe was a great way for them to strengthen their ministry. Jethro in Exodus 18 is seen advising Moses to lighten his load as the leader of the people of the time. He was a man of solution for him. On the contrary, we see Amnon and Jonadab in 2 Samuel 13 how Jonadab paved the way for Amnon to fulfill his desires that put Tamar’s life and even Amnon’s life at risk. (May God protect us from such counsels). What about Rehoboam? Remember him? He was the son of King Solomon, Son of King David. Unfortunately, he is going under the list of people who did not have wise counsel in their ears and fell into the trap of their smart words. This was huge as it led to the division of the tribes of Israel with Jeroboam taking 10 tribes and Rehoboam being in charge of two which were the tribe of Judah and Benjamin. Now, the question is, “How can I know which voice is from God and which one is not?”. The best way God has taught me to discern the voice of wisdom from God is only by connecting to the true source which is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is always active and alive and working in our life and works in all situations unless we choose to ignore that voice and say “I do not want to obey that” which has its risks. Remember, God is a God of free will so he will not force anything. The amazing truth is, Despite our rebellious nature and unwilling heart to do his will, God was loving enough to give us His Son Jesus Christ is the shepherd that will lead us in the right path for his name’s sake (Psalm 23). As his flock, it is our responsibility to maintain that PERSONAL relationship with him and know his voice.

With that being said Beloved, May God continue to give us wisdom and understanding as we are on our journey of discerning the voices around us!

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. -John 10:27-28