Monday, March 23, 2026

Bible in a Year: Psalms 111-113 | Hebrews 12

I’m a pretty good listener, or at least I like to think I am. I’ll nod, say “mm-hmm,” and even repeat back what I heard. But later, I’ll realize I heard the words, but I just didn’t let them sink in enough to truly hear them.

This tendency to only half-listen isn’t new; it’s something even the closest followers of Jesus experienced.

In Mark 9, something extraordinary happens. Jesus is transfigured before Peter, James, and John. Not only is his glory revealed, but also the ancient prophets Moses and Elijah appear. Then God speaks.

Mark 9:7
Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.”

That command feels almost surprising. The disciples already know who Jesus is, and Peter has confessed he is the Messiah (Mark 8:29).

They've walked with him, learned from him, and watched miracles happen. So why does God still need to say, “listen”?

Because knowing who Jesus is doesn't always mean we're obeying what he says.

The voice from heaven was God gently redirecting the disciples. At this point in Jesus's ministry, they had witnessed his glory, believed he was the Christ, and were now being asked to let that belief turn into obedience.

And that invitation still echoes to us today.

We live in a world full of voices, opinions, fears, headlines, expectations, and even our own anxious thoughts. It's easy to listen to everything except Jesus.

We read his words in Scripture but rush past them as we send up prayers while trying to keep control of our earthly situations. We ask our Heavenly Father for guidance, then choose ease or comfort over the direction we feel the Holy Spirit nudging us toward.

But if we pause in our tracks and read this all again, we find that God's call is simple: Listen to him.

Listening attentively and obediently to Jesus means letting his voice shape our choices, relationships, reactions, and priorities. It means trusting that his way, even when confusing or costly, is always good.

Today, pause and remember, Jesus is God's dearly loved Son. Let's listen.

Questions:
When was the last time you intentionally paused to listen for God's direction?

What does “attentive obedience” look like in your life right now?

Where might God be inviting you to say yes to him and trust him more deeply?

Next Steps:
Keep a simple journal of what you sense God teaching you and how you're responding.

Identify one habit, app, or distraction you can reduce to make more room for God’s voice.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you for being God's dearly loved Son and for speaking truth into my life. Forgive me for the times I've heard your words but chosen my own way. Quiet the noise around me and within me. Teach me to recognize your voice, trust your heart, and follow your lead. Help me not just to listen, but to listen obediently and attentively, always responding with humility and faith. Today, I choose to lean in and walk with you. Amen.

This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content for the Daily LivingItOut.