I Samuel 12:21
‘“What is this you have done?” his servants asked. “While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but when he died, you got up and ate.”’
David's advisors didn't understand his behavior. I love this. The godly follow His way, which the world will not understand. I Corinthians 2:14 says, "But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."
Jesus said in Matthew 11:15, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" Thank You, Lord, for allowing us to hear. You called us and now You keep us. You continue to speak to us. The world doesn't hear You. Luke 16:10 says, "The one faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and the one unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much." I normally don't attach this scripture with hearing from God. However, it makes sense. If we obey and respond to what He says, He may give us more.
This is not a works issue. We certainly couldn't attain a state that God would speak to us because we've earned it. Ephesians 2:8 says, "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God." This is the means by which we receive anything from God.
So, going back to the earlier point, He may speak more if we listen more. That sounds right. It fits with maturity. The longer we walk with God, the more we'll hear Him. An old person may have walked with God for a lifetime.
I Corinthians 1:25 says, "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength." It's as if God is the mature adult and all else are two year olds. Some of them are naturally smarter than others, they are nothing compared to God.
When we come to Christ, He gives us wisdom. The world doesn't get it. Just as pharaoh thought all that Moses did was foolish, so also the world sees us as hicks. David's counselors didn't get him.
We need to respond when we hear Him. Hebrews 3:15 says, 'As it is said: "Today if you should hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion."' Jesus said, "Don't cast your pearls before swine", (Matthew 7:6). Ignoring Him is doing so. He does reach out to us, but it becomes less when we don't listen. Or possibly our hearts grow hard and we can't hear. Whichever the case, we hear Him less.
This is bad. God is a big deal. He shouldn't be ignored. He is worthy to be heard. Not only is it right, but He deserves it and His way is the best.
Why do we ignore Him? There are several reasons. We want our way. It may or may not be sinful, we want our way. Some times it is sin. Some times it's fear. We think "If I give Him a little, He'll want more." We may fear what that might be.
The problem is we don't know Him. I Corinthians 13:5 says of love and therefore of God, "It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs". God will not do most of the things we fear He will ask of us. He understands our fears. We should just yield to Him and be honest. "God, I'm fearful of what You might ask. Will You help me to settle down and understand?"
God loves us so much. He wants to bless us. I Corinthians 2:9 says, 'But as it has been written: "What no eye has seen, and no ear has heard, and has not entered into heart of man, what God has prepared for those loving Him."' We can't think that big. We would be blown away. It's best to yield and listen and experience it. It was a habit with David. He had listened to Him his whole life.
Lord, thank You for Your ways and all the things You want to do for us. Thank You that Your ways are not our ways. Help us to yield to You.