The Hearing Ear By Joel M. Killion Email: joel@innerlifeministries.com Website: innerlifeministries.com
	From the very beginning, with each generation, the invitation of God has been the same: “…Come up hither, and I will shew thee things…” (Revelation 4:1, KJV) In each and every case, there have been those who were willing to pay the price in order to be “chosen” among those who were “called.”  Those who heard and heeded the call with an “understanding heart,” submitted themselves to the Lord as He progressively carried them “up hither” from where they were into a further revelation (“shew”) of the “things” of His Spirit. And through it all, God has never failed to openly “manifest” Himself to those who “whole-heartedly” met His conditions in loving and obeying Him (Jn. 14:21-23). When the Lord calls a people to “…Stand by the roads…and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is…” a “remnant” always answers the call (Jer. 6:16, RSV); and these “few” are the ones who “reform” the world they live in, who effect real, lasting change through prayer, intercession and acts of obedience to God. On the other hand, the “multitudes” - the “many” who “are” called - always resist the call of God; over and over, they “refuse” His “good way.” And while “their” way “seems right” in “their eyes,” their end - apart from the Life of God - always leads to death (Prov. 12:15; 16:2; 21:2). Today, the “multitudes” are still refusing the Lord, opposing His purposes with their excuses, alternatives and “good ideas.” Nevertheless, there is a remnant, a “little flock” of committed ones, who know His voice and follow Him “wherever He goes” (Rev. 14:4; read Num. 9:15-23); these dedicated disciples no longer see His desire as an “option” to be excused or ignored, but as a means of intimate fellowship with Him in His Life; these are those who are “His Bride,” His faithful Wife, who walk “arm-in-arm” with Him in the grace of life. An Open Ear First Samuel 15:22 says that the Lord “delights” in those who “obey His voice,” who “hear” and “heed” His “sound.” This “delight,” however, is not like “human” delight, which is here one day and gone the next.  Rather, it is the Divine favor of God which can be “cultivated,” over time, within the life of those who are wholly committed to the substance of His Voice. An “open ear” is “an ear for the Spirit” which shows a constant, delicate consideration for the personal thoughts and feelings of the Spirit.  It is, furthermore, a broken and contrite heart which “continually” inquires of the Spirit, unafraid to lean on His wisdom in every “moment of decision,” seeking His intention above all others (Isa. 30:21).  This heart is “after” God, motivated out of a pure desire to please Him (1 Sam. 13:14). This “hearing ear” has varying measures of maturity within itself; each measure possesses a further (more insightful) clarity, in relation to the previous measure, which stems from a deeper quality in sensitivity to the “sound” of the Lord’s voice which can only be cultivated through a spiritual process of growth. Hebrews 5:14 speaks of this “process” when it refers to those who “…have their senses exercised…by reason of use.” It is only through a life of “absolute surrender” to the Lord in the School of Revelation that one can be truly “awakened” in their hearing as those who are learning - line upon line - the intricacies of His ways. Furthermore, the Lord Himself must be permitted (by us) to use “any means necessary” to clear away “every possible hindrance” within our lives that has “any potential” of blocking us from possessing a sound, “obedient ear” which “cannot” refuse Him. Isaiah was a student in “this” School for he said, “The Lord…awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens my ear to hear as the learned (those who are taught).” In the end, after all his training, his testimony was complete: “The Lord God has opened (progressives plowed) My ear; and I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away” (Isa 50:4-5, NKJV). You see, his ear toward the Spirit was so “acutely refined” (awakened) within his being that he became “wholly possessed” by the Divine will; he simply could not “turn away” from what he heard for it was “his life” burning within his heart. There is a place in God where the Word of His Voice takes us entirely by the reins of our soul and saturates the entirety of “our being.” The rebellion and stubbornness of our own pride is so dealt with, that we are, in effect, “transformed” into faithful bondservants; our ears are pierced (plowed) by His hand - showing the intimate marriage between “our ear” and “His voice” - and we are wholly His, for His pleasure. In the end, we no longer obey Him as “Master;” rather we honor Him as “Husband,” Lover and “Friend” (Isa. 54:5; Hos. 2:17). Today, the Lord is stationed behind the “curtain” which stands between where we are and where He is.   He is speaking softly to us, calling us to “pay attention” and “draw near” to Him.  This curtain is not very thick but it is there nonetheless and it remains with us as we go about our daily routine.  Yet, as we go our way, He “is” there, waiting and whispering, knocking - ever so gently - on the door of our hearts.   He is patiently calling us and those who have an “open ear” are responding. The cry of God is clear: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts and do not refuse Him Who speaks” (Heb. 3:7, 8; 12:25). This admonition is warning us about “how we respond” to the Lord when He speaks to us - this is very significant and cannot be overemphasized.  Therefore, we must be mindful of “how” we react in “each and every” case.  And while this is difficult for many, in a busy, high-speed world, it is not impossible. There is a “tender place,” within our hearts, which knows when it has been stroked by the Lord; this “inward part” knows His touch as it is, inherently, a part of Him.  If we are wise, we will seek - at any cost, without reservation - to strengthen this “gift.” Those who spend quality time with the Lord - alone with Him in solitary quietness - will progress, very rapidly, in their ability to “discern” the Lord, even when He manifests “lightly and slightly.”  These special times - with our Teacher - are very important for they are “rigorous training modules” in the School of the Spirit, designed to strengthen and educate the inward-man of our spirit. When the Lord calls us away to spend private time with Him, “waiting upon Him” in His Presence, we should not hesitate; rather, we should run quickly to His side.  Once there, our “spirits” must be opened to Him as He gently “leans” toward us. Every “voice” must be quieted and every “thought” must be arrested by “the obedience of Christ” (Jn. 8:29; 2 Cor. 10:4-5); the busyness of our souls (our mind, emotions and will) must be stilled. Every part of our inner man must be watchful, carefully focused on the Lord, so that when He “leans into us,” seeking to “feel after” us, we not only know it, but return the gesture. This reciprocation of affection is “especially” important as it is the key to the ebb-n-flow of divine intimacy. When the Spirit “touches” our spirit or “whispers” into our ear, we must be very careful for this is “the moment of truth;” our choices - big and small alike - will determine whether or not we are eligible for promotion.  Those who “choose wisely,” with an “understanding heart,” will graduate to the next grade in the School of Christ. In time, this “sense” of His Spirit will fully mature and bring us into an ever-increasing partnership with the Lord as He works to further His Kingdom purposes in these last days.