Fall 1993

Food for Thought
Acquiring the Tongue of the Learned
Wade E Taylor

"The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned,
that I should know how to speak a word in season to
him that is weary: He wakeneth morning by morning, He
wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord GOD hath
opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned
away back" Isa 50:4-5.

To have an awakened ear is to be able to hear spiritually, beyond any possibility of natural hearing or understanding. This means that my being no longer hears or responds to earth manifestations alone, but I am "lifted" into the realm of spiritual reality where I become "tuned" into that which is beyond the natural dimensions of life.

As I daily begin to cultivate this capacity for spiritual sensitivity and hearing, which once was dormant within me, my ability to receive a "word" from the Lord gradually increases. This recreated and awakened spiritual ear will enable me to have the "right word" at the "right time" for the "right person." Now I am able to meet the needs of others by having the ability to speak "a word in season" to him that is weary.

The initiative for this spiritual gifting begins with Lord Himself - "He wakeneth." I may not understand all that is taking place, but I must rightly discern and respond to His "stirrings" in my behalf. This spiritual tuning cannot develop merely through a short term experience or blessing, but rather it requires an on-going pursuit of the realm of spiritual life and being.

Therefore, morning by morning, I must diligently set aside time and practice "waiting upon the Lord" as I seek to develop my having this spiritual sensitivity. It is important that I maintain a consistency in my approach to this realm of spiritual reality. This means that I must faithfully and determinedly continue my pursuit on a daily basis. Only then will I have the capacity to be available to the Lord, should He quicken my inner spiritual being, seeking a response from me.

If I am sincere in my desire to experientially know the Lord and cooperate with Him in purpose, then I will be able to fully trust Him to bring me into this quality relationship with Him.

The initiative in this rests with the Lord. My part is to hear and to cooperate with Him in the outworking of His purpose concerning others, and as a result, my needs also will be wonderfully fulfilled.

"Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; let us
lodge in the villages. Let us get up early to the vineyards;
let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape
appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I
give thee my loves" Song of Solomon 7:11-12.