Deuteronomy 28:1-4 paints a beautiful picture of the blessings that overflow into the lives of those who diligently listen to and obey the Lord:
“And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.”
But what does it truly mean to “hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord?”
The Hebrew word for “voice” goes beyond simply hearing a sound. It encompasses the idea of truly understanding and internalizing God’s word. It’s about actively engaging with His commands and allowing them to shape our lives.
Think of Adam and Eve in the Garden. They heard the sound of God, as described in Genesis 3:8:
“And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day…”
But did they truly listen? Did they understand and obey? Sadly, no. Their disobedience led to separation from God and the loss of the abundant blessings He intended for them.
Contrast this with the early church in Acts. When they heard the message of the Gospel, they were “pricked in their heart” (Acts 2:37):
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
They didn’t just hear the words; they allowed them to penetrate their souls, leading to repentance, baptism, and a transformed life, as Peter instructed in Acts 2:38:
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
This deep listening brought about incredible blessings. They shared their possessions, ensuring that no one lacked anything, as described in Acts 4:34:
“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold.”
They experienced God’s favor and saw their community grow (Acts 2:47):
“Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
They were living examples of the abundant life promised in Deuteronomy 28.
So how can we cultivate this “hearkening diligently” in our own lives?
* Prioritize time in God’s Word: Read the Bible daily, not just as a ritual, but with a desire to understand and apply its truths.
* Pray for discernment: Ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate the scriptures and reveal their personal application to your life.
* Surround yourself with godly community: Engage in fellowship with other believers who can encourage you in your walk with God.
* Obey what you hear: Put God’s Word into practice, even when it’s challenging.
As we cultivate a heart that truly listens to God’s voice, we open ourselves to the abundant blessings He desires to pour out on us. We experience His favor, provision, and peace, and become a beacon of His love to the world.
Discover more from Fathers Heart Ministry
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.