Read: Ephesians
3:16-19
“Then you will experience God's peace,
which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and
minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7
No person,
place, animal, or thing can bring you satisfaction from within or bring you
fulfillment in your life. The depth of intimacy we experience in a personal
relationship with God is the most nourishing experience of our lives. It
affirms our very existence. Yet, we humans do everything we can to avoid it!!!
We get so
caught up in our relationships, our ministry, and our accomplishments that we
allow these earthly things to crowd out our intimate times with the Lord. Then,
at other times, when we do take time for God, we often have distracted, barren,
or faltering times. Don’t be discouraged, however, Satan is just providing road
blocks that Jesus will soon overcome.
Have you ever
prayed and heard or felt nothing? Then, just praise Him for who He is, what
He’s done and what He means to you. God inhabits our praises and Satan runs
from them (James 4:7-8; Hebrews 10:19-22). Sometimes, God remains silent and
distant. He hides His face from us. Rest assured, however, that He continues to
work in you.
In these barren
or quiet times, His concentration is on our subconscious level of thought;
getting us ready to be responsive to His next urging in our spirit. These quiet
times cause us to hunger after God. They create a longing in us to return to
our first love with Jesus, who is our Creator, our Redeemer, our Savior, and our
Lord.
We allow the
pressures and distractions of life to monopolize our attention, so often, that
we fall into an exhausted sleep each night without ever having been to that
still, small, inner place to meet our Father. When the mind is full of clutter
and distractions, we get pulled in many directions without any goals or
purpose. We find a lack of depth in our devotion. God’s voice cannot compete or
penetrate our awareness, because the clutter is too overpowering and we are not
listening for His voice. Often we hide our sorrow in some addiction that
further separates us from the arms of our Holy God.
What I came to
see as the critical element of hearing from God is that we expose ourselves to
His holy presence, open our heart to His probing and listen with our inner,
spiritual ear in the private sanctuary of our spirit -- that place reserved
just for you and God. The place where there are no lists, no worries, no
pressure, and no oughts. The only thoughts we have are clear directives that
are totally Spirit led; and, when acted upon, will bear much fruit for the
kingdom of God.
As we perfect the art of being fully and
calmly aware of God’s presence within, we carry that awareness with us even as
we live life at a full sprint. The object, however, is to simplify our lives at
the same time that we abide in His presence.
Rather than working for God, we allow Him
to work in and through us. We cut out everything in our lives that is not
absolutely relevant. We stop any activity that is sinful. We empty ourselves of
all of our inner clutter until we are totally void and empty enough to be
totally filled with all the fullness of God. This takes time, effort and commitment.
During the day,
when you feel your peace leave, stop! Go to a quiet place and focus your
attention on your spirit, your body and your soul ~ your mind, will and
emotions. Concentrate on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), relax
and talk to God like you do to your best friend.
Journaling is a great way to hear from God.
Sit down, prop up your feet and bask in His presence (Hebrews 4:10). Write down
your questions, your needs, your concerns and your desires. Then sit quietly
and listen. Allow God to
conform you from the inside out. He will put a thought in your mind
to answer your questions and to give you advice and wisdom.
Pray for wisdom
to know if you can change the situation and how to change it. If you find that
you can’t change the situation, ask God to show you how you should change your
focus about the incident. Once you hear the answer from the Lord, then put the
negative thoughts and circumstances in God’s capable hands, and focus on the
positive aspects He shows you.
Habakkuk recognized God’s voice speaking to
him (Habakkuk. 2:2). Elijah expressed His voice as still and small (I Kings
19:12). Sometimes He uses the words to a song, a sentence in a book, a Bible
verse, or a comment you hear from another person or on the radio or TV to speak
to us. At other times, a friend will confide in you and when God gives you
wisdom for them, it will apply to your life as well.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, in
the Tabernacle in the Wilderness and in the Jewish Temple, there was a great
wall of fabric that separated God’s presence from the people. When You died on
the cross, that wall was torn from the top down to the bottom. God rent that
veil to show that Your death opened up His presence to us all. (Luke. 23:45;
Hebrews 10:19-22). Remind us to take advantage of this and to spend time in
Your presence.
Thought for the Day:
Be still, and know
that He is God. - Psalm 46:10
