And this is the confidence that we have toward Him [God], that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us. 1 John 5:14

My wife has pointed out that I'm not always a good listener.

She's right. Sometimes, quite unintentionally, I ignore her requests and thoughts.

I take comfort in the fact I'm not as bad as the dispatcher from a local transport company who routed a fleet of trucks filled with building materials to the wrong state. The dispatcher heard the boss say they were to go to the "city of Portland," but he quit listening before the boss said, "Portland, Maine."

Because of this failure to listen, eight trucks loaded with building supplies ended up in Portland, Oregon, three thousand miles away from their intended destination. It was a one hundred thousand dollar mistake.

Not having the courtesy to listen to others is an often-disregarded bit of rudeness. The fact is nobody likes to be ignored.

It's fortunate we have a Lord who is willing to listen to our prayers. Because of the intercession of His Son, our Father never puts our words on the back burner. He never listens halfway. Instead, He gives us His undivided attention. Now, if God does that for us, shouldn't we show the same courtesy to others?

I know I'm going to try. Why don't you join me today? Let's listen to others with the same consideration God listens to us.


From a devotion originally written for "By the Way"



THE PRAYER:Dear God, thank You for listening to my prayers. Fill me with Your wisdom so that I may live my life according to Your will, treating others with kindness and consideration. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Today's Bible Readings: Psalms 64    Psalms 70    John 6:1-21

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