Deaf as a Doornail

“God confronts your logic to test your obedience.” – Os Hillman

I have about an 80% hearing loss in my right ear. I’m not sure how it happened – I suspect a visit to the gun range when I was running for state representative may have been a contributing factor – or it could simply be a matter of Father Time catching up to me. Whatever the cause, my “moderate to severe” hearing loss has been greatly alleviated by the use of a hearing aid.

When I am wearing my hearing aid, I can hear out of my right ear pretty well. However, if I am in a restaurant, at a party, or in some other crowded room (even church), it is often hard to discern one voice from another. I hear the sound of people talking, but their voices all seem to blend together into a cacophony of noise.

Unfortunately, that’s the way our fast-paced world works. From the time we wake up in the morning until the time we lay our heads down on our pillows at night, we are surrounded by countless voices, sounds, and noises… all vying for our attention. Not surprisingly, it is hard to hear the still, small voice of God amidst that constant clamor.

That is why it is so vital to take some time each day to get alone with God and listen to what His Spirit has to say to us through His Word. Otherwise, we will wander through life spiritually hard of hearing.

Here is how Os Hillman summarizes the importance of daily communication with God…

“God wants you to know His voice and heed it above the reasoning of all others. Obedience can be costly, but it will always lead to treasure, His treasure. He wants you to discern His voice in all areas of your life. It is good to have Godly counsel in your life, but the friends you choose to consult must have the maturity to discern His ways.”

“After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice.” I Kings 19:12 (BSB)

“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President