God Still Speaks to Those Who Listen

Scripture: And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel! 1 Samuel 3:10 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying. Psalm 77:1-2

Observation: We see two examples of late night conversation with the Lord. First, in Samuel, we see God speaking to young Samuel in the middle of the night. Then, we see Asaph in Psalm 77 stretching out his hand in prayer to God in the night, wondering if God’s love has ceased.

Application: Last night, my youngest son cried out in the night. He was having cramps in his foot. My wife and I rushed in with foot rubs and ice packs. And later, he awoke crying out again. Both times we came in and I am not sure we eased the pain, but we did get him back to sleep. When it is 3:30 in a dark house with pain in your body, you want your father and mother to listen to your cry.
Sometimes we doubt God speaks to us. Sometimes we wonder if he listens to us. Scripture is replete with examples like these two of a Father who speaks and listens. With Samuel, God is speaking to someone who is not asking for it. With Asaph, God does not seem to speak, but as the night goes on, Asaph realizes that God has already spoken through the great deeds of salvation he has already done in the lives of his people, the “years of the right hand of the Most High.”
Sometimes God speaks to us through His voice of the Holy Spirit, who lives in our hearts. Sometimes he speaks through the reviewing of his mighty deeds, through his word. Either way, we have a God who does speak, who does have much to say.

Prayer: God, may I be like Samuel, who is ready to listen as a servant to a master. May I be like Asaph, who is unafraid to cry out to God from a place of pain and doubt. Show me the next step in my growing conviction that you speak when we listen.

When Jesus Saves His Breath

Scripture: “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, and if I ask you, you will not answer.” Luke 22:67-68

Observation: The assembly of the elders ask Jesus point blank if he is the Messiah. His answer is somewhat surprising. A simple yes or no would suffice. But Jesus is able to peer into the hearts of men. He knows that they are way past the point of belief. They are not open seekers, ready for God to move. They are closed off, committed to a course of belief that leaves no room for God to walk the earth. Jesus knows that he would be wasting his breath with these folk.

Application: Two thoughts. First, I need to realize that there are some people who are already so committed to untruth, so closed off, that the truth may not have an impact. I am not just talking about unbelievers. Sadly, I have seen believers get this way sometimes. They may become fixated on some specific of theology and unable to see the bigger picture. Or they may come to believe some misinterpretation of scripture, and are unable to be swayed. I sometimes fall into their trap, sucked in to a pointless and fruitless argument. Instead, I need to know when to do as Jesus has done, and save my breath.
Second, would there ever be times I would be this way to God? When I would be closed to his voice, and so I do not hear him speak to me? Would he ever save his breath in speaking truth to me? I need to make sure that when I ask Jesus a question, I am open to him answering it in a way I might not like.

Prayer: God, give me wisdom to know when I would waste my breath. And keep me humble and open, so you never waste yours. I pray that these 40 days have restored faith in Pulpit Rock that you still speak though your word. Show me how to keep the momentum of listening together going.

What If Satan Speaks Through The Word, Too?

Scripture: If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, “He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you.” Luke 4:9-10

Observation: Satan quotes scripture to entice Jesus to throw himself off the temple. Although the scripture he uses is out of context and misapplied. We talk often about how we are to use scripture during temptation, as a defense against the enemy. But not much is said about how Satan himself uses scripture. Satan obviously knew the bible. He was able to use a verse that sounded like it applied. He is the great deceiver, and it seems part of his arsenal of deception includes the Holy Word. We see this all the way back in the garden of Eden (“did God really say…”).
This misuse of scripture can range from false religion and theology based on misinterpretation of scripture, all the way to people using scripture to justify sin.

Application: I need to be aware of Satan’s ability to turn the word against me. He will take the thing I hold so dear and twist it to confuse and misdirect me. When I come to the word to hear it, I need to pray that God’s voice would be the one I hear, and that the Spirit would remind me of truth and protect me from error.

Prayer: I pray today, God, for my time in your word, and for all the people of Pulpit Rock as we listen together. Protect us from the twisting of the deceiver. We are your sheep; may you help us hear and know your voice and reject any other voices.

Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?

Scripture:
But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place. Job 28:12, 23

Observation: Job writes a poem centering on a profoundly simple question: Where can we find wisdom? The answer is equally simple: God. If I want to know how to make decisions, set priorities, choose opportunities, discern danger, or live wisely, I need wisdom. And only God knows the way to wisdom.

Application: This Sunday, I am preaching on why the apostles devoted themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word. They knew that for the word of God to increase, for the number of disciples to multiply greatly, and for people to come to obedience to the faith, they needed to know the mind of God. The way to do that was prioritize the ministry of prayer and the word. This is behind this past year’s attempt for me to daily spend time in my devotions. I am desperate to find the wisdom I need.

Prayer: God, Forgive me for failing to honor you as the Source of all wisdom. You know what is wise for me, and as I soak my mind in your word, you show me the way. Please give me victory today as I move our church towards being people who hear from you in your word.

Why God Conceals Truth

Scripture: For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us. Acts 16:28

Observation: A group of believers met to pray and talk about what to do with non-Jewish converts to Christianity. They come to a decision, one that the Holy Spirit communicated to them as a group.

Application: Over the last ten years God has been teaching me how He wants to speak to me through groups. From sermon collaboration to leadership communities and now lately to me through doing devotions with others. This is a contrast from the “get alone and hear from God” approach. While there is a place for that, there is also the truth that God might deliberately conceal truths for me so that I am forced to depend on others to find them out. (This last truth came from a conversation with my friend Randy yesterday—another example of what I am talking about.) Proverbs 25:2: “It is the glory of God to conceal things but the glory of kings is to search things out.” In other words, there might be things the Holy Spirit will say to me only as I listen to Him through others.

Prayer: God, continue moving me down the path of collaborative hearing. Of learning to listen to you through others. You long to speak to your people. Let it be my glory to search it out. Amen

Three Strikes, But Not Out.

Scripture: Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel…” Jeremiah 38:17

Observation: Three times Jeremiah is asked to speak the words of God to Zedekiah. The first time, he counsels surrender to Babylon, which gets him beaten. The second tie, he predicts defeat and gets thrown in a cistern. The third time he is wary of the request and only speaks after assurances there will be no reprisal. He is spared, but once again the king ignores the very counsel he himself asked for, and is defeated. I am amazed Jeremiah continues to speak God’s words instead of changing the message to save his skin. I am astounded that Judah keeps asking for words from God that they have no intention of following.

Application: When some people say they want leaders who hear from God, they really mean they want leaders who hear from God words that affirm their choices and course of action. So many times I have had people come to me to get “godly advice,” only to leave angry when they got words contrary to their plan. God is telling me to:

1. Keep telling the truth, even if I am branded a deserter, and
2. Be prepared to be rejected, but not to worry, God can and will deliver me.

Prayer: God, I don’t know who this applies to in my life right now, or if it is a preparation for an upcoming challenge. Help me to hear from you and speak truth to those in my life—and not words that will make them (or me) feel better.

When God Gets Dressed

Scripture: For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the Lord, that they might be for me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen. Jeremiah 13:11

Observation: Just as my clothes hang on my body, God’s people were created to hang on God. On our own, we are crumpled piles of cloth. But when God puts us on and begins to move, we have purpose. We belong to him, we have a name, we have a praise and a glory. But unlike inanimate clothes, we have a choice. We can either listen to God and cling to him, or ignore him and become a loincloth good for nothing.

Application: I was created for God. He does not exist for me. I am a t-shirt in the closet of God. I only have life and meaning and purpose and power as God puts me on and wears me around. The question is, as God is getting dressed today, will he put me on? Will I be worn by him, or passed over? The key, is seems in Jeremiah, is me making the decision to listen and follow what God says. God wears clothes that listen.

Prayer: God, I feel over the last year you have been teaching me that you want to talk to me in some different ways than I have been used to. You want to tell me things, if I will listen. I have already seen your words come true. Help me to discern your voice. Help me to listen. Speak to me, and I will follow you. I want to be worn by you today.