God Said, ‘Hear and Heed’
In this stirring devotion, Dianna Hobbs shares how hearing, trusting and obeying God's voice amidst life's challenges prepares and positions you for favor, blessings, and prosperity.
Credit: Getty/JGI/Jamie Grill
Music has long been the melody of my family's story. My father, a skilled organist, taught me to dance my fingers across the keys when I was just a girl. Yet, I wandered from that sacred discipline, my fingers now clumsy and unremembering.
Instead, I learned to play the instrument of my voice, singing praises that sometimes felt incomplete compared to the rich tones I could have drawn from the organ. Especially now, as a songwriter, I occasionally yearn for the skill I let slip away.
However, God, in His infinite grace, has granted me a second chance to live vicariously through the musical talents of my 20-year-old son, Kedar. His journey began in earnest when my husband, Kenya, was appointed pastor of a small church with no musician. It was then that Kedar's heart stirred with a desire to fill the silence. Though he was only a boy, he felt an inexplicable calling to play the piano. I knew that God was drawing him.
Today, Kedar's fingers fly across the keys with a skill that takes my breath away. He is a music major in college, a journey he never thought possible. You see, Kedar's gift is like his grandfather's – the ability to play by ear. My 89-year-old father, Bishop Joseph Brinson, Sr., also possessed this talent from youth. Some time ago, he prayed over Kedar, anointed his hands, and prophesied that God would enable him to play skillfully.
God has been faithful to that promise. Kedar can capture any melody that touches his ears and mirror it on the piano with perfect clarity. Even the complex strains of classical music are not beyond his reach.
Yet, when he felt led to pursue music in college, doubt crept in. "How can I get accepted into the music program when I can't read music?" he fretted. I reminded him of his God-given talent and the Lord's faithfulness. "Just play. God will favor you, and you’ll get in."
With nervous fingers but steadfast prayer, Kedar auditioned, playing Beethoven's "Für Elise" and Bach's "Prelude in C Major" entirely by ear. His acceptance into the music program that followed was a symphony of joy for our entire family. Now, Kedar sprints across the football field as a wide receiver and dances across the piano keys as a classically trained pianist, his heart harmonizing with the music of God's call in every step and every note.
The Melody of Obedience
Kedar's journey has taught me that just as some play by ear while others read music, God speaks to each of us in unique ways. In a world filled with the static of other voices, it is the tuning of our ears and hearts to God’s frequency that allows us to play the melody of obedience. This process, which I call “hearing and heeding,” is what allowed Micaiah the Prophet to speak the truth that he heard from God in 1 Kings 22.
Micaiah’s story unfolds against the backdrop of a tumultuous era in Israel's history. Following the death of King Solomon, the kingdom split into two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south (1 Kings 11:9-13). This division made it easier for the Arameans to gain power, become persistent enemies of Israel, and harass both kingdoms (1 Kings 11:23-25).
When we enter 1 Kings 22, despite a three-year period of peace, King Ahab of Israel was yet troubled by the Aramean occupation of Ramoth-Gilead, a strategically vital city that was once under Israel's authority (Deuteronomy 4:43, Joshua 20:8). This city, a location God had previously designated as a refuge and place of mercy for Israel, was now in enemy hands.
To reclaim Ramoth-Gilead and secure their defenses, Ahab proposed an alliance with King Jehoshaphat of Judah. On the surface, this seemed a wise pursuit. By joining forces, the northern and southern kingdoms could defeat their opponents, making their alliance and territories more stable and secure.
But Jehoshaphat didn’t just go on instinct or conventional wisdom. No, he insisted on seeking God's guidance before making a move, just as we are called to seek His will in all we do (James 1:5).
At Jehoshaphat’s insistence, Ahab gathered 400 prophets to share what his next steps should be. And all 400 of them predicted success. They said, “Go, for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand” (v. 6).
Yet Jehoshaphat was dissatisfied with this curious chorus of approval and requested another prophet. This is when Ahab reluctantly sent for Micaiah, a prophet he complained “never prophesies anything good about me, but always bad” (v. 8). Despite Ahab’s disapproval of Micaiah, the king knew he was a true prophet whose sensitive ears heard God's voice.
Micaiah’s name in Hebrew means, "Who is like Jehovah?"
What a powerful, fitting name, as Micaiah emphasizes God's power and sovereignty, challenging all other authority, even that of the king.
“Who is like our God, Great Jehovah? Nobody! When He speaks and we remain willing to listen and obey, He protects, blesses, favors, and prospers us.”
Ugly and Inconvenient Truth
It was during the tender season of my early adult years, around 18, that the prophetic gift burgeoning within me began to make its presence known. I was both puzzled and intrigued when I started inexplicably perceiving intimate details about others – glimpses into their lives, thoughts, and even the paths that lay before them.
As time unfolded, I discerned that not all the revelations were good and uplifting; some were challenging and foreboding. I would receive glimpses of upcoming struggles or hardships for individuals, messages that, though difficult to deliver, were ultimately meant to prepare and guide them. The Lord would sometimes unveil in dreams when a person was nearing the end of their earthly journey – these were solemn and unsettling revelations that still come to me today.
Yet, as my faith matured and I grew more acquainted with the mantle of the prophetic, I found my hesitance to be His mouthpiece dwindling. I learned to speak His words, even when they burned with a fire that would be difficult for others to hear, even when the timing would be inconvenient, and the message would stir the waters of controversy.
In my earlier days, wrestling with this calling that had been placed upon me, I would often swallow the words that rose up within me, fearing the backlash that would surely come with speaking truths that would be met with resistance. But those struggles were not in vain, for it is through having walked that winding road that I can now look back and understand the challenging moment that the prophet Micaiah faced.
When he first stood before the king, Micaiah succumbed to the pressure to conform to the majority, momentarily parroting the claims of the false prophets who were operating under a spirit of deception. But after King Ahab prompted Micaiah to share the authentic message he heard from the Lord, the prophet garnered the strength to tell the ugly and inconvenient truth (1 Kings 22:22-23).
Speaking honestly, Micaiah delivered this revelation: God was not onboard with this plan and was against the idea of going to war. Furthermore, if Ahab continued this course of action, he would be killed, and Israel would be routed in battle (1 Kings 22:8).
Micaiah's words were sobering and unwelcome, earning him a literal slap in the face by one of the deceived prophets. Even so, Micaiah stood his ground, undeterred in his resolve to speak the true message he’d heard from God (1 Kings 22:24-25).
Like Micaiah, God is calling us to speak the truth of His Word, even when His words are not what we—or others for that matter—want to hear. It is the Lord's desire that His living and active Word, "sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12), guide the notes we play and say, that we might be instruments of His truth in a world tuned to a different frequency.
Just As He Said It
In today’s Bible story, we see how God’s plans often run counter to our ideas. His answers contradict our desires. His declarations oppose our utterances. His ways are higher. His thoughts are deeper. His wisdom is superior. His pronouncements are surer. Like it or not, what He says stands and will come to pass.
Unfortunately for Ahab, he ignored Micaiah's warning, disguising himself in battle, assuming he could outsmart the enemy and defy God’s prophetic promise. What a foolish attempt! Ahab implemented his plan only to be mortally wounded by a stray arrow, fulfilling the divine prophecy (1 Kings 22:29-53).
Friend, God sent me today to tell you that when He says a thing, it will happen just as He said it. Whether good or bad, preferable or unpreferable, desirable or undesirable, ideal or unideal, His word shall come to pass. Therefore, tune your ear to Heaven’s frequency, as God is speaking right now.
He’s reminding you that all His promises are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). His word will never return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11). He can be trusted to keep every promise (Hebrews 10:23). His will shall be done!
Although you may be walking through a season of contradictions and inconveniences and can’t see your way forward clearly, His word is true. Although you don’t know why God is taking you this route, and you’re tired of the ups and downs, His word is true. Although your journey has been plagued with delays and the path littered with obstacles, His word is true.
He promised to bless you. To preserve your life. To prosper your endeavors. To be your shelter in the storm. To comfort you in affliction. To dry every tear. To favor you continually. To defeat each foe and deliver you out of every affliction. And He will do it! So, hold fast to His promises, my friend. He will deliver the deliverance He promised.
A Prophetic Word
As you await manifestation, don’t be so rigid that you struggle to accept it when God’s plan deviates from yours. Be flexible. Say as Jesus said, “Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Look, it’s alright if your emotions, thoughts, ideas, preferences, and logic don’t align with the process, promise, or purpose of God. Our understanding is limited, but God’s wisdom is infinite. Just stay on the path, say yes to His will, and surrender to His way. Then you will be blessed beyond measure. God will open doors for you. Make ways for you. Do the impossible. Work miracles. Cause water to stream through your desert. Usher you into your Promised Land.
I’m a living witness that no one can bring a good plan together like God! Through tears, wait on Him. Through pain, trust in Him. Through loneliness, lean on Him. Through weariness, rest in Him. Through disappointment, rejoice in Him.
I know you don’t necessarily understand what He’s doing or prefer His methodology. Yet, God is releasing this prophetic word to you: “If you hear and heed My voice this day, great things await you. Wait with expectation. I am a faithful God who will do whatever I promised.”
To remind you to be sensitive and obedient to God’s voice, I’m stirring Hebrews 3:15 NLT into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Remember what it says: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.’”
As you drink down the contents of your cup and commit to hearing and heeding God’s voice, prepare for overflowing blessings. Right now, surrender and tell Him, “Yes, Lord”—even if it’s a reluctant yes, a tearful yes, a confused yes, or even a heartbroken yes.
Your yes yields blessings. Your obedience produces a harvest. Your surrender breeds breakthroughs. Your ability to hear and heed causes new levels of increase, favor, and victory to manifest.
I declare over you by faith that a yes is springing up in your spirit that will cause a harvest to spring up in your life! As the Word of the Lord promises, “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land” (Isaiah 1:19 ESV).
Now, let’s pray.
God, thank You for reminding me that although Your ways are not like mine, they are better. In times when Your will contradicts my way, help me say yes to You and surrender. For, You promised that through my obedient surrender, I will position myself to reap a mighty harvest of Your goodness, favor, and abundance. With all my heart and soul, I say yes to You! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
