Hearing From God

Today's Bible readings are Genesis 16:1-18:15, Matthew 6:1-24, Psalm 7:1-17, & Proverbs 2:1-5

Hearing from God is one of the greatest things that a christian can learn to do. As Spirit-filled believers we know that God speaks to us. We are in a relationship with Jesus. In any relationship there is communication that occurs.

Most the time in christian life this is a one way street; we complain to God, scream & through fits, beg Him through prayer, etc...  We never take the time to listen for Him to speak back to us. Sometimes we fail to go to the sources that God primarily uses to speak to us. None the less, we miss out on the great benefit of hearing His voice.

Learning to hear His voice & not be moved by the voice of other influences is the key to prospering in this life. In today's reading we see what happens when we listen to other source without first hearing from God.

Genesis 16:1-2

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had not been able to bear children for him. But she had an Egyptian servant named Hagar. ² So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.

Abram & Sarai both wanted a child desperately. Abram was even promised one by God. Yet, we see that he was moved to do things that lead to turmoil when he gave his ear to the wrong source--"So Sarai said to Abram..."  

How many times have we got ourselves in trouble by listening to the wrong source or by being moved by the wrong things? Just for a moment, let's consider the result of this one choice.

1. Hagar & Sarai had a broken relationship.
2. Abram must have had strong tension from both to deal with.
3. Ishmael must have had insecurities growing up. 

These are just to name a few of the immediate results. Now let's look big picture:

Genesis 16:12

¹² This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.”

We know of the great struggle that there is between the Muslim's & Christian's today. Muslim's that Ishmael is the son of promise & Christians say that Isaac is the son of promise. There is open hostility between the 2 that lead to violence today. Fists are still raised & lives are still lost over the result of this event. What a disaster it is when we fail to listen to God.

The other option, of course, is to learn to know God's voice & then obey it. We see this in the book of Acts with the Apostles & the early church leaders. They knew that God would speak if they would only listen. They saw remarkable miracles & experienced the supernatural on a regular basis. They prospered in their efforts to build the kingdom in ways that most churches today only dream about. 

1. They knew where to go--because He told them.
2. They knew where not to go--because He told them.
3. They knew what to say--because He told them.
4. They knew who to appoint to leadership--because He told them.
5. They knew what to preach--because He told them.

Just imagine with me for a moment that nearly every problem or trouble that you are facing right now is just one word from God away from being solved & changed. That is how important it is to learn to hear His voice.

 

Here are some things that you can start doing to increase you receptivity to God's voice:

 

1. Listen for Him.

John 10:3

³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.

• God is speaking.
• We must listen.
  

2. Prepare regular quiet time for you & Him.

Psalm 46:10

¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

• Slow down.
• Force yourself to wait on Him.
• No person can listen to their lover if they are on the go all the time.

3. Stay in His Word.

Psalm 19:7-11

⁷ The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. ⁸ The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. ⁹ Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. ¹⁰ They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. ¹¹ They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.

Start with these three things & you won't go wrong. Let's make a choice today to hear from God & prosper. Remember, one word from God will change your life!

 

Pastor Richard