So God's been teaching me a lot about listening. I have struggled with knowing God's with me in my head, but that doesn't always connect with my heart. More times than I care to share. However, God's been teaching me a whole lot this year, which even led to me coming on the World Race. So here's what's God's been speaking to me, Laura. I just know that this message has been spoken to more than me.
Proverbs 4
The Straight Path
20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.
21 Don't lose sight of them;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one's whole body.
23 Guard your heart above all else,
for it is the source of life.
I am here, Lord. Speak to me and may I recognize your voice. May I not only hear your words, but receive them and walk them out.
God does not promise us that it will be easy, in fact, Isaiah 43:1-3 says, "
Restoration of Israel
1 Now this is what the LORD says—
the One who created you, Jacob,
and the One who formed you, Israel —
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are Mine.
2 I will be with you
when you pass through the waters,
and [when you pass] through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire,
and the flame will not burn you.
3 For I the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior,
give Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.
It is not a matter of if but when. It will happen and God will be there. It is our choice to have faith and believe His presence is a fact. Wouldn't it be nice if we were warned of trials to come. Of course, but we aren't, so take comfort in knowing challenges will come. Challenges we can't possibly handle on our own. Guess what, God is with you and he will be there and He will see you through.
We need to trust God because He loves us too much, Isaiah 54:10, tells us, "Though the mountains move and the hills shake, My love will not be removed from you and My covenant of peace will not be shaken," says your compassionate LORD. Beth Moore, says "Trusting God's sovereignty means trusting that if he has allowed something difficult and shocking to happen to one of His children. He plans to use it mightily if the child will let him." Our trust needs to completely lie with Him. Don't limit your trust of Him, by the experiences of your life. God holds our future, not the people who have broken our trust. Every part of our story is essential. He uses it for good, doesn't mean it is good, but He uses if for good. Trust Him in that. Trust Him. Ask Him to help you grow, in the midst of the trial. To come through and not just come through, but come through glorifying His name, glorifying His evidence and power and grace. His sufficiency. Trust Him because in Him and Him ONLY can you find completeness. Your journey will not be complete until doing so.
God speaks to His people, not just the people of the Bible, He speaks TODAY. When he speaks life happens. The voice of God, is a voice of healing and restoration. We must be interested in what He is saying and pay attention. Are you dwelling in what He says? We will not see, we will not hear, what He needs us to see, unless we open our minds. To hear God speak, we must know He speaks to His people today. God speaks to you. Are you listening? What's He saying?
