01/19/2026
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.
Let your good spirit lead me on a level path.”
Psalm 143:10 NRSV
"Hearing God. Some would say that’s a presumptuous and even dangerous idea. But should we expect anything else, given the words of Scripture and the heritage of the Christian church?
As Christians, we stand in a millennia-long tradition of humans who have been addressed by God. The ancient Israelites heard the voice of their God speaking to them out of the midst of fire (Deuteronomy 4:33). A regular place of communion and conversational interchange between the high priest and God was established in the mercy seat over the ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:22; 1 Kings 8:11-13).
But the individual with faith among the Israelites also cried out expectantly to be taught by God (Psalm 143:10). Isaiah, who had firsthand experience of conversing with God (Isaiah 6), described the process this way: “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. . . . The LORD will guide you continually” (Isaiah 58:9, 11 NRSV).
Read Psalm 143:10 aloud and sit in the words for a few minutes. Notice how personal this phrase is: “for you are my God.” Relish that. Then ask God specifically what you need to be taught from his “good spirit.”
*Willard, Dallas. Hearing God Through the Year: A 365-Day Devotional (Through the Year Devotionals) (Function). Kindle Edition.
