CAN YOU HEAR GOD NOW?
Scripture Texts: Luke 10:38-42; Matthew 6:25-34; and Philippians 4:6-9, verse 19, Psalms 10:4, 14:2 and 27:8
Can you Hear God NOW? That is the question that I am asking you today here in the congregation. Too many times, we don’t hear God. We think we do, but we are not listening. Are you hearing Him today in your life?
Let us examine the scriptures above as well as to find out what we are supposed to do. IN Luke, chapter 10, beginning with verse 38, we see that Martha and Mary were here with Jesus as well as Lazarus, although he is not discussed. See the picture here – Martha is way too busy, while Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet and hearing His Word. We don’t sit enough at Jesus’ feet and hear His word in this day and age. Some of us don’t even get in the Word of God. Martha was TOO distracted with making sure “everything” was perfect. Yet, in our daily lives, we are also distracted with the things of the world. We are “too worried” about getting things “done” and then we don’t have time to sit at Jesus’ feet. Now, Martha sat at Jesus’ feet, look at verse 39, but then she became too preoccupied with arrangements and the like and then became too busy to sit any longer, while Mary continued to hang onto every Word that Jesus spoke. Sometimes we are trying to “do the work of the Lord” and we get too distracted also. Martha was getting ANXIOUS and AGITATED because she thought Mary was doing nothing. NOTE: Mary chose the “good” part – that is listening to Jesus and it will not be taken away from her – and it won’t from us, if we LISTEN!
So, now let us look at what being anxious is about – Turn to Philippians, chapter 4, starting with verse 6. “Be anxious for nothing! The word ‘anxious’ means take thought and in a few minutes we will see what Matthew has to say about taking thought of things of this world and tomorrow.
Being anxious or “worrying” is what we are NOT supposed to do. We are always preoccupied with the things of the world. We are to rather, concentrate on what verse 8 says and practice what this verse says. We are to ENJOY (1) things learned, (2) things received, (3) things heard, and finally (4) things seen. We are not only to MEDITATE but DO certain things. Christianity is VERY practical. It is not a dead ritual but rather divine, living, vital, dynamic and a liberating religion (setting us free from sin). In verse 5, Paul states that the “Lord is at hand” and so why should we be anxious or worry about anything. The phrase, “shall keep” means to “stand guard.” Then verses 8 and 9 tell us how to keep that peace. Psalm 27:8 says this, “When thou said, Seek ye My face; my HEART said unto You, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.” This is what God has demanded of men from the beginning of His written revelation. The heart must say this before God will hear.
There are 12 things that are promised seekers:
1. God will be found.
2. God will hear from heaven.
3. Forgiveness.
4. Healing of the land.
5. Goodness from God.
6. Not want of any good thing.
7. Life.
8. Knowledge.
9. Righteousness.
10. All blessings of life.
11. Finding what is sought.
12. Answers to prayer.
Now, let us look at our last text today, Matthew, chapter 6, beginning with verse 25. Most of you know verse 33, which says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” But look at verse 25, speaking of what; take no thought for your life and all the “cares of life”. Verse 31 says it again, quit worrying and why do you ask?
QUIT WORRYING BECAUSE IT IS:
1. Sinful and produces fear.
2. A disease causing other ills.
3. Borrowing trouble that cannot be paid back.
4. Brooding over what may not happen.
5. Creating trouble, misery and death.
6. A burden borrowed from tomorrow and others who should carry it.
7. Weight that kills prematurely.
8. Mental and physical suicide.
9. A grave digger that has no sympathy.
10. Needless and wastes time and effort that should be spent on worthwhile things.
11. A robber of faith, peace and trust in a never-failing, heavenly Father.
12. A stumbling block to others.
13. A disgrace to God and should never be indulged by Christians.
14. Anxiety over what is nothing today and less tomorrow, in view of faith.
15. Anticipating trouble which seldom comes to those who trust God.
16. Torment over something that will likely be a blessing if it comes.
17. Living like an orphan without a heavenly Father.
18. A crime against God, man, nature, and better judgment.
19. Mental cruelty to self and others.
20. Foolish, for whatever is going to happen cannot be stopped by worry; and if it doesn’t happen, there is nothing to worry about. Should adversities come, one may still be victorious by TRUSTING in GOD.
Finally, what does this have to do with the title, Can You Hear God NOW? Well, it is this – we don’t HEAR Him because we are like Martha and like Jesus was speaking of in Matthew, chapter 6 – too WORRIED and ANXIOUS and preoccupied. We need to seek GOD with all of our hearts like David says in Psalm 27. We don’t listen because we don’t like to hear, yet God hears us. We don’t receive because we don’t seek God first in ALL things.
Let me share something with you – “The Master Called” story.
So what about you? Can You Hear God NOW? Let us pray.
