Dear friend, as Proverbs 1:33 says, “Whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Listening to God is the first thing He expects from us. As parents, how much we long for our children to listen to us. Even if they ignore just one instruction, we become so upset. That is why the Bible clearly says those who listen to Him will dwell securely and be at ease. But the previous verse warns us: “The waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them.” In Jeremiah 8:5, the Lord grieves over His people, saying, “Why do these people stay on their self-destructive way? Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back?” They clung to lies and refused to change their path. This is why He called them stiff-necked people because they ignored His voice, rejected His calls, and silenced the warnings of their own conscience.

They did not want to hear that they were wrong. They wanted their own way instead of God’s way. I remember when we were in a foreign country, we saw people wearing heartbreaking messages on their T-shirts. One man wore a shirt that said, “No God.” Another young man wore a shirt that spelt “Jesus” with a cancel mark over it. Our hearts were so heavy seeing that. They had chosen their own way and rejected the path of God. But the Bible says, “Anyone who listens to God will be dwelling in the secret place of the Most High.” In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Hearing God’s voice helps us know Him more deeply. “He who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.” Listening must not be occasional. We are called to listen to God daily. Then we will have peace in His presence, even in troubled times, because He speaks through His word.

When we listen, all will be well with us. Isaiah 3:10 says, “Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their labour.” God is not unjust to forget the labour of love we show toward Him. When we listen to Him, He says, “They are My sheep. They are My delight.” As Psalm 1:1–2 says, “When we meditate and delight in His word, whatever we do will prosper.” That is the blessing tied to hearing and obeying God. He promises security, peace, and prosperity. “Whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and be at ease.” So surrender yourself to God. Commit to carefully listen to His word every day. Don’t be swayed by other voices. Just listen to Him, and then you will not fear any harm.

PRAYER: 
Dear Father, thank You for being a loving God who longs to speak to me and lead me in Your righteous ways. Even now, I surrender my ears, my heart, and my life to You. Help me to silence every distracting voice and tune my spirit to hear You daily. Let me be counted among Your sheep who know Your voice and follow You with joy. When I stray, Lord, please call me back. When I grow weary, speak peace into my heart. Let me dwell in Your secret place, rest in Your presence, and walk securely, without fear of harm. I choose Your voice above all else. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.