“Listen And Pay Attention To The Voice Of The LORD!”

“Listen And Pay Attention To The Voice Of The LORD!”(Is.28:23-29).
A major reason for the different expressions of the Christian faith – especially in Africa – is “unintended consequences “ Wisdom says, “When a wise man points at the moon, the idiot looks at the finger.” “Unintended consequences are unexpected outcomes” arising when what was said is not what was heard – call it, understanding at cross-purposes.
There is often a gap between what is said and what is heard. Some of the reasons are that the audience filters the information through their own values, beliefs and experiences. Also, when the speaker’s tone or body language contradicts his words, the audience will trust the nonverbal cues, etc.
The LORD says, “Listen and hear my voice, pay attention and hear what I say…” Unintended consequences often arise when we do not hear when we listen. Hearing here means “fully processing, understanding and receiving the message when we listen.
Listening is an active voluntary effort requiring concentration, presence and attention, but hearing is a passive process of receiving sound.
When the LORD says, “Listen and hear my voice, pay attention and hear what I say…”, he is saying “be mentally and physically present. Listen to me with your heart. Do not be distracted by hearing but not listening. Do not listen to respond; rather listen to understand so as to fulfill the requirements of what I say.
What we often hear is not always exactly what the LORD has said.
The LORD is the source of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. The expert farmer know when to plow for planting and for how long, he knows which seed type to sow and which seed type to scatter, and he segments the plots for different crop types. In all these it is God who instructs him and teaches him the right way.
In the same way the farmer knows what kind of tools to use for preparing each crop type for consumption. “All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent.”
My friend, just like the farmer and his crops, the LORD is wise and purposeful in the way he deals with us. He instructs and disciplines us with divine wisdom that is meant to bring forth fruit that is worthy of those who listen and hear his voice, and pay attention to hear what he says.
Prayer: Holy Spirit indwell me that when I hear God’s voice I should not harden my heart. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
10/02/2026.