When our family lived in Florida, I would often awaken in the morning to the cheerful sounds of a mockingbird outside my window. The first time I heard him, I was thrilled by the beauty of his melody. But soon my ears became accustomed to his songs and I began taking his sunrise concerts for granted. In time I was no longer "hearing" him. This was my own fault. Mr. Mockingbird was still there singing every morning, but I was no longer listening.

A similar thing happens if we stop "hearing" God speak to us through the Scriptures. When we first become Christians, it's a joy to read and study the Bible. Its words speak to our heart. They are like music to our ears. We thrill as we see God's plan unfold throughout its pages. But in time, reading the Bible can become routine, and before long we may neglect it entirely. As a result, we no longer "hear" God speak to us. The negative effects of this pattern go unnoticed, until one day we wake up and realize what we've been missing.

How much better to have the attitude of Samuel, who said, "Speak, for Your servant hears" (1 Samuel 3:10).

God speaks to us through His Word. The question is, are we keeping our ears open?  —Richard De Haan  — Richard De Haan