No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them. Luke 16:18 NIV
We know that Jesus is the “light of the world”, the only one who can really bring light into darkness. Let me suggest that He wants us to be the stand, the one on which He shines, so that His hidden truths can be known and brought out into the open. It appears that there is a direct correlation between our ability to be the stand and how carefully we listen to His voice.
As Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim His message, He said this, “…there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” Matt 10:26-27 NIV
“What I tell you in the dark…what is whispered in your ear” What an awesome thought that God whispers truth in our ears! When we are in the dark, unable to see, to understand, Jesus speaks. He illuminates our minds, and we see, we understand. Hence the admonition, “consider carefully how you listen”. But just like Elijah learned on the mountain, God often speaks in a gentle whisper.
So do we take the time to quiet ourselves before Him, simply to listen…consistently, daily? Or do we delude ourselves and think we have enough understanding, enough truth? Never let yourself get to the point where you don’t see the need to come before God and listen, to receive from Him whatever He has to share with you at that moment. He will use you, shine through you, to bring His light to those around you, if you will listen and allow Him to put into you, what they need to hear. Isaiah put it this way:
The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears. Isaiah 50:4-5a NIV
Consider carefully how you listen.