Hear…Before You See
"Before we ask God for more...we must first return to the posture of listening" In this message, we are given an ancient charge to hear God's commandment and obey with a full revelation of who He is.
Message Notes
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD”
Before God gives us what He’s promised, we must remember who we are and who He is.
Hear
“Hear, O Israel...”
Before God says anything about Himself, He first tells us to “shema”—”hear”.
It doesn’t mean “just listen.” It means “listen with the intent to obey.”
Obedience only comes from hearing. And hearing must always lead to obedience (Romans 10:17, James 1:22)
This is why Moses didn’t tell the Israelites: “Get your sword ready.” He said: “Get your ears ready.” Because if you can’t hear God in the quiet of the wilderness, then you will never be able to resist the volume of Canaan.
Before we can see what God has for us next…we have to first hear and obey His voice.
2. The Lord Our God is One
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.”
In Canaan, gods were common.
But Israel’s God is different. He’s not one of many, first among equals, the best of several options…He is One.
If God was just one god among many, then compromise is inevitable.
But if He is the only God, then every idol must be rejected.
If we forget the Lord was One, we will forget that we were His.
The reason we serve…the reason we give…the reason we endure…is not because of tradition or culture or obligation—it’s because the Lord our God is one Lord.
3. With Every Part of Us
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
It’s not enough to believe the Lord is one — you must belong to Him with all.
With all your heart—your will; your desires
With all your soul—your identity; your past, present, and future
With all your might—your energy; your passion
Partial love always becomes divided loyalty. And divided loyalty always leads to spiritual collapse.
This is not a suggestion. It is not a motivational verse. It is a commandment for a covenant people who are surrounded by alternatives.
4. Share It With Other
“Teach them diligently...write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates...”
God didn’t just want a people who believed in Him. He wanted a people who would pass it on.
Because a truth that is not transmitted will be a truth that is eventually abandoned.
Truth doesn’t belong in a compartment. It belongs in the atmosphere of your life.
Response
Hear and obey the voice of God.
Treat Him as the One Lord; give Him every part of you.
Share this truth with others: there is one Lord, and He loves you.
