Thought for Today - September 18, 2024
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
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 every day 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
“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
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 made
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
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 wordof 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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Psalm 26: 7
