Be Quiet and Listen!
By: Robert A. Searles
“The words of wise men are heard in
quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.” Ecc 9: 17
(KJV)
While God is speaking to us, are
we really listening, or is the clamor and noise of this sin cursed
world drowning out the voice of our loving heavenly Father who is
trying to tell us of his love and mercy for his children? If we
really want to know what God is saying to us, moment by moment, we
must cease from our own noise making, and listen intently to the
still small voice of God.
We cheat ourselves of so much
comfort and so many blessings when we are so preoccupied with our
own everyday affairs, that we do not take the time to get alone with
God in our own secret hiding place and listen for the voice of God as
he speaks to us by the various methods which he chooses.
How does God speak to us? God
speaks to us first of all by his written word, the Holy scriptures.
In them, God tells us how the heavens and the earth came into being.
He tells us how he made man and woman, and all the animals and
creeping things of the earth for the use and benefit of mankind. He
tells us how he hates sin, but loves the sinner. He tells us that we
all have sinned and come short of his glory, but that he is willing
to forgive and forget our sins. He tells us how we may obtain that
forgiveness and renewal of spirit and restoration of fellowship with
himself.
In the written word, God also
assures us that every word written in the scriptures are true and
given by his Holy Spirit to his chosen prophets and historians who
would be faithful men and women to record his words for all future
generations to come.
“All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
“We have also a more sure word
of prophesy; where unto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a
light that shinneth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day
star arise in your heart; knowing this first that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spoke as they
were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19- 21 (KJV)
In the Holy Scriptures, God
relates to us the history of his chosen people, Israel from Abraham
down through the centuries to the present generations. He speaks to
us of the promises he has made to his chosen ones. He show us all
the trials and tribulations that his people have experienced because
of their sins and rebellion and turning their back on him and
worshiping idols. Through the history of his people Israel, he warns
all of us of what can become of rebellious nations who forget God
and turn to idols; but he also reveals to us his great love and mercy
when men and women repent and turn back to him.
In the written word, God is
speaking to us to show us the way back from our sinfulness and
rebellion by receiving his son as the perfect sacrifice for our sin.
He tells us that: Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures, that he was buried and rose again the third day,
according to the scriptures, and is now in heaven interceding for
all of us who will believe and receive him, and we are promised
that he is coming again to receive his children to himself and
establish his kingdom on earth.
In the written word, God offers us
comfort and rest when we are tired and weary, and peace when we have
turmoil in our soul.
God also speaks to us through the
living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.
“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the
beginning with God. All things were make by him; and without him was
not anything made that was made., In him was the life, and the life
was the light of men. And the light shinneth in the darkness, and
the darkness comprehended it not.” John 1: 1-5 (KJV)
God is spirit. The bible says
that no one has seen God at any time, but the son of God has revealed
him. Christ came into the world not only to die for the sins of the
world, but also to reveal God the Father to the world. Jesus said:
“if you have seen me you have seen the Father. I and the Father
are one.”
God the Father, speaking through
his son, the Lord Jesus Christ, spoke to his disciples in the
language of men, in an audible voice which they could understand,
and record his message to all mankind through the gospels. Jesus,
while on earth, spoke many words of wisdom and instruction to his
apostles and disciples, to which we ought to listen intently and pay
the most earnest heed. Do we read and study the gospels and quietly
listen to the words of Jesus, and make them a part of our very being
as was intended by God?
God also speaks to us through his
indwelling Holy Spirit in the heart and mind of every born again
child of his. When Jesus ascended into heaven he promised, that when
he went away, he would send another comforter, to be a constant
companion, interpreter of the word of God, instructor and guardian of
his redeemed,
God has so much for us to know of him,
so much to enjoy and be blessed by him. God speaks in a still small
voice, and in order to hear what he is saying, we must quietly
listen. We must stop our ears, at least for a little while from all
the noise of the world, and the noise within our own soul. Arise
in the morning and behold the majesty of a gorgeous sunrise, and
allow the sunrise of the love of God to arise in your own soul. Stop
and smell the fragrance of the rose, and enjoy the peace and
tranquility of a beautiful sunset, and know that with God all is
well, and it is well with your soul.
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