Hearing God

Hearing God

We are exhorted in the word of God to eagerly desire to prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1). The New Covenant is the “Age of the Holy Spirit.” Our text is clear that the gift of prophecy would accompany the coming of the Holy Spirit into the world. That is precisely what happened in the Early Church as the Gospel spread throughout the Roman Empire. “And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all” (see Acts 19:6-7). Today, the same phenomenon is occurring all over the world!
Jesus died on the Cross not just to forgive our sins, but ultimately to grant us eternal life (See John 3:16; 10:10). It is impossible to have eternal life without a personal relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ. “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 17:3). Just as everlasting life is eternal communion with God, the antithesis, everlasting death, is perpetual estrangement from the presence of the Lord. “…In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9).
In a relationship, communication is essential. If communication breakdowns intimacy is forfeited. Some have a difficult time believing that God wants to be close with them. Yet, we must remember that in the Garden of Eden this was precisely the relationship enjoyed by the man and the woman. The Lord walked with Adam and Eve and spoke with them disclosing the deepest thoughts of His heart as well as His affection for them (Genesis 3:8-11).
In the New Testament we are informed that Jesus came to “…seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Notice it does not say “those that are lost.” The Scripture is speaking of something impersonal that was lost [past tense]. What was it that Jesus came to restore that had been relinquished when the man and woman sinned against God and His word? Intimacy with the Creator! This naturally includes communion with the Lord, hearing His voice, knowing His plans and being aware of the Divine will.
Jesus made it possible through His death and resurrection for us to be reconciled and adopted into the Family of God. “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:4-5, New Living Translation). As a result, we have been brought into a relationship of intimate communion with the Father and we now privy to His personal affairs! Jesus said, “I shall not call you servants any longer, for a servant does not share his master’s confidence. No, I call you friends, now, because I have told you everything that I have heard from the Father” (John 15:15, J.B. Phillips).
Simply stated, to be prophetic means we perceive God’s will and counsel from Him and testify to others. “…The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard” (Acts 22:14, 15, New Living Translation).
Hearing God

Jesus was the quintessential prophet. The success of His ministry was simple: He shared with others only that which His Father had revealed to Him. “For I have not spoken on My own authority; but the Father who sent Me gave Me a command, what I should say and what I should speak” (John 12:49). The Father delighted to reveal the full counsel of His will to the Son when He walked the earth. Jesus was completely assured of this and never doubted for a moment. “The Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does” (John 5:20).
As the “firstborn among many brethren” (See Ro. 8:29), Christ set a precedent for us. We are to walk as He walked in the world. “…because as He is, so also are we in this world” (1 John 4:17). We must be completely convinced of the fact that our Father in Heaven delights to share all things with us too. Just prior to the Cross, Jesus attempted to drive this point home to His disciples. Listen to the profoundness of His words. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name…For the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God” (John 16:23, 27, New Living Translation).
Say right now, “My Heavenly Father loves me! I am an heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus! I am a child of the King, not a slave. My Father delights in Me and longs to be intimate and reveal all things to me. He let’s me in on all things and witholds no good thing from me.”
Beloved, hearing God is not an experience for the privileged few. It is the portion and inheritance that comes with our calling as His children. “…The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard’” (Acts 22:14-15).
Make every effort to cultivate your relationship with your Father in Heaven. As you do, God will speak and you will gain precious knowledge of His will and will be able to share His counsel with others. Revelation stems from relationship. Prophecy proceeds from a life of intimacy. We are called to be a people of the prophetic!

“The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.”

Isaiah 50:4-5, New Living Translation


 

 

 

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