"LISTEN TO HIM!"

Dearly Beloved,

"LISTEN TO HIM!"

"Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!’" (Matthew 17:4-5 NIV).

Many people nowadays enjoy being in the presence of God (in churches, prayer mountains, camps, religious conferences and seminars, and the like) serving Him and most especially praying (and possibly fasting) to Him for one thing or the other. However, most of these people are not ready to listen to and obey Jesus Christ in that presence of God and in their day-to-day activities.

This was the error about which God corrected Peter and the other two disciples when Jesus Christ was transfigured in their presence on a mountain. They were so overwhelmed with the experience that Peter suggested that they should remain there. However, God reaffirmed His declaration that Jesus Christ is His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased, and that they should listen to Him. Listening to Jesus entails total obedience to His commands and wills for one’s life especially in one’s day-to-day activities. No wonder, He led the disciples to where they could really listen to Him.

It is good to be in the presence of God and worship Him. It is good to serve Him in any way we can. However, it is better to listen to Him and obey Him in our day-to-day activities. Going to churches, prayer mountains, camps, religious conferences and the likes to worship God without listening to Him and obeying His commands is like wasting one’s precious time. Samuel candidly told Saul: Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams (1 Samuel 15:22 NIV). Jesus Christ also said, "If you love me, you will obey what I command" (John 14:15 NIV). Note that He did not say, "You will serve me," though serving Him is also good, but listening to Him and obeying His commands are more paramount.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).