AVIZANDUM: The Priority of Listening

Avizandum. In Scots law, this term describes the careful consideration given by the judge before an important decision. Join me each week as we explore various topics from a spiritual perspective and take matters Avise endum. Recently I preached on Psalm 46 and also Luke 10. Verses thirty-eight through forty-one.

and have been convicted by both of these scriptures.

Now, I don't pick and choose which scriptures I preach. But on Sunday evenings and other times, my fellow pastors and myself are preaching on selected Psalms. Then on Sunday mornings, I'm consecutively going through the gospel according to Luke.

So hence, I preached on Psalm 46 and also in the last verses of Luke 10. As a pastor, I speak a lot. Those who know me will not dispute that. I preach and teach the Word of God, not just from the pulpit, but in classrooms. I conduct weddings and funerals and counsel people.

Also, I'm the moderator at our elders' meetings, as well as leader of our staff. All of this requires a lot of talking. But Scripture exhorts all of us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

So am I listing? In relationships, it is important that we listen with a view to understanding the perspective of the other person. We all have had conversations, and I've been guilty of this myself. Where we want to state our view to convince the other person rather than listening with a view to understanding. But in my study of Psalm 46 and Luke 10, there is an emphasis on being still and knowing God.

In the Luke passage, the priority of the Word of God is the focus. Here is Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus. whereas Martha is anxious, flustered, distracted, and troubled in preparing a meal for Jesus. Undoubtedly, she wanted to demonstrate her love for Jesus by preparing a meal. But in doing so, she forgot the priority of listening and learning from Jesus.

The being still of Psalm forty six is not an exhortation to be passive or lethargic. God, who is our refuge and strength, seeks people to know Him, to trust Him, to listen to Him. rather than worrying about the various circumstances of our lives.

So today Be still. I know God. Today sit at the feet of Jesus. This is to be intentional on our part. The busyness of our lives can swamp us.

creating distractions and worry. The answer to being overwhelmed with the circumstances of life is is to quieten ourselves and sit at the feet of Jesus.

Now, this doesn't mean that we don't serve Jesus. But it does mean that our priority is to listen to Jesus rather than being distracted and troubled by all the things we do. in the Christian life being always precedes doing. what we are in the presence of God is vastly more important than what we do for God. And now, as we wait on the Lord, We will be strengthened by our great God, who not only is a refuge, but He is our strength.

As we sit at the feet of Jesus, our faith and our courage and our love are strengthened.

So Don't talk so much. Sit at the feet of Jesus. quiet in your heart. Open the Word of God. Pray, and the Spirit of God will illumine the pages of Scripture and apply its truths to your heart.

Avizando. You're listening to the weekly Avizandam podcast from The Verdict, featuring Pastor John Monroe. John is Senior Pastor at Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Listen to John's daily program, The Verdict, on broadcast radio or major podcast platforms. For more information about the Verdict Ministry, visit us online at calvarychurch.com/slash the verdict.