Listen, God is speaking!
Jeremiah 37:17..then Zedekiah the king sent and took him out. The king asked him secretly in his house, and said, "Is there any word from the LORD?"
John 10:27”My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (Memorize)
One boy lost a valuable watch in the class room . He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the desks, but didn’t find it. A fellow student who heard about the fruitless search stayed in the class room after the students left and soon emerged with the watch. Amazed, the boys asked him how he found it. "I closed the door," the boy replied, "lay down on the floor and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking." Often the question is not whether God is speaking, but whether we are being still enough, and quiet enough, to hear.
Few years back before I could start my internet ministry, I was writing for a group. Suddenly I received heavy opposition and they wanted me to stop writing. I guess they were not able to take the ‘heat’ . People don’t like this kind of preaching, it unnerves them! They prefer simple Bible teaching on how to cope with problems. They despised any word exposing sin that they demanded any such message be stopped! The reason why many don’t want to hear from God is because it may expose the sin that is in their life, sin that they don’t want to get rid of. God’s word was always a clear warning full of judgment against sin, yet full of hope for the repentant.
Many people like their ‘inbox’ to be filled with “thou shall be blessed” and never would like to hear God tell them “thou shall not”. Anybody listening? All people want are honey oozing, soothing words. Listen people! If you obey God’s voice carefully and walk in His ways 100 percent, victory is yours! Learn to patiently wait and claim God’s promises, there are no short cuts!
We have a clear introduction about king Zedekiah. The Bible says in Jeremiah 37:2 “But neither he nor his servants nor the people of the land gave heed to the words of the LORD which He spoke by the prophet Jeremiah. “ This same king, while his nation is in crisis, calls for Jeremiah to pray for them. Isn’t it strange how we need a crisis before we want to hear what God is saying? As long as things seem to be going along relatively smooth in our lives we don’t care nor have too much time for God. But let something happen and we are in church and wanting to hear a word from the Lord that will help us. There are many who either write to me or call me over the phone for advice, yet when I give them godly counsel, they stop calling me. Where have they gone? They are the ones who do not want to give up the dirt in their life. I again warn such people that “if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword “ for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 1:20)
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HEAR WHAT GOD IS SAYING TO YOU TODAY? It may not be what you want to hear, it may be a harsh word; it may require us to make some changes in our lives; but in order to be ready for His coming, and to receive all He has for us now, we need to hear what He is saying to us today.
