He says, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” — Psalm 46:10
The world is a noisy place. There is chatter all around – on the TV, radio, in our places of work, at home with the family, on the train or subway to and from work. Even in places of worship the decibel levels seem to be increasing….but there we are lifting our voices in worship, prayer, praise and singing before the Lord.
Today the incessant chimes, rings and buzzes of cell phones, social media platforms and technology have invaded our senses. We have become ever vigilant and alert to the many noisy interruptions we experience all day; too numerous to count. This hypersensitivity to noise and interruption has diminished our ability to focus, concentrate, think critically and reason.
But there is a place we can go to escape the disruptive noise of everyday living. It is to seek retreat in the presence of God. To those who believe in Him, we seek to be in His presence; to find His purpose for our day and His plan for our lives. And God does speak. He reveals it to those who yield to the Holy Spirit; the third person of the Trinity – God spiritually active in the world. When we incline our ear to hearing, we gain understanding and are led to do His will.
Have you ever heard God speaking, in that still small, yet discernible voice? The voice unlike any other, yet words cannot describe it? It is usually void of sound – inaudible. But when you hear it, not in your ears but in your spirit, it is unmistakable.
Yes, God speaks – in many ways: through the Bible: All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16).
Yes, God speaks – through Prayer:For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous – those who are upright and in right standing with God – and His ears are attentive to their prayer (1 Peter 3:12).
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26-27)
Yes, God speaks – through church community and people God places in our path.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
God is a Spirit and flows wherever He wills and can use whatever He chooses to speak. The roar of the ocean, the silence of the stars suspended in the night sky and even the rumble of thunder on a stormy day. God is omnipresent – everywhere – there is no territory He does not occupy and nothing is hidden from his sight.
There is no heart that God cannot touch. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent his son to stand in our stead and receive the punishment for all our sin. He loves us so much that He wants a relationship with each one of us. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him. God’s love for us is immeasurable. God’s love for us is everlasting and nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
Listen for the voice of God today. It is convicting you, calling you, leading you, prompting you… to listen and respond.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)