"JOHN, John, I want you," a mother was calling. John, however, was busy with his own interests, and didn't trouble to reply. Again his mother called, "John, John," but still there was no answer.
His mother found him, and looking sadly at him, said, "How is it, John, that you are so much deafer than the others? We must see what we can do to improve your hearing.”
John's mother knew perfectly well that he had heard her call and grieved over his behavior. There was a great difference in this family; some of the children loved their parents so much that a call was responded to very quickly, but some, like John, were selfish and lazy.
This family is a picture of the whole world. In God's sight as He looks down from heaven there are two distinct classes on this earth; those who care and even love to hear the voice of God and the voice of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and respond gladly; and those who appear quite deaf, and go on day by day doing their own wills, indifferent to God's constant calls to them.
I wonder to which class you belong! It is wonderfully encouraging to think of those of old who heard God's voice and answered Him. We know that Samuel did, but as you may have heard much about him we will think of others not so well known.
Isaiah the prophet was one. We are told that he heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" and he said in answer, "Here am I; send me." (Isa. 6.)
Jeremiah was another, for God called to him and said that He knew all about him before he was born, and had set him apart for Himself as His prophet.
Jeremiah was naturally nervous and hesitant, but he, too, answered to God's voice and was made equal to his work. God strengthened him by touching his mouth, and said, "Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth." (Jer. 1:99Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. (Jeremiah 1:9).) He was to be made as strong as three mighty things: a defensed city, a brazen wall, and an iron pillar.
So this timid young man, who feared that he could never speak, stood before the king and his princes and the great men in Judah, and told them what God had said as to their conduct towards Him; but, first of all, before he spoke, he had listened intently to God's voice and messages.
Amos was another called by God for a special work in Israel. He was opposed by Amaziah, an evil priest, to whom Amos said, "The LORD said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel." (Amos 7: 15.) You see, Amos listened to God's voice, and although, as he says, he was no prophet even, only a gatherer of wild figs, he gave the message God trusted him with, faithfully and earnestly.
Yet another was Habakkuk, who says, “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." (Hab. 2:11I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. (Habakkuk 2:1).) He listened intently to God, in a place where he could best hear.
It is a good study to see how many faithful men there were to whom God's words and His thoughts were infinitely precious, and who carried out God's orders in spite of persecution.
Jonah heard what God told him, but, sad to say, he was not ready to do His bidding.
Perhaps you can think of many others, but these few may show you what great blessing came to those who listened, heard and carried out God's messages to them.
Listen to the words of the Holy Spirit through Isaiah, "Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live."(Isa. 55:33Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. (Isaiah 55:3).) If you do this you will be able to say with the Psalmist," I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly." (Psa. 85.)