Apr 15 2008
Tuesday, April 15th
Reading for today: Genesis 29:31-35, Acts 7:37-53
“…as it is written in the book of the prophets…” Acts 7:42
Stephen is building a “case for Jesus the Messiah”. In these verses he cites the Hebrew Scriptures 39 times. Recall on the road to Emmaus that awesome Resurrection Day how Jesus Himself “…opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45) “Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures” (Luke 24:27). May we today, study and apply to our own lives the Old Testament…the Bible Jesus read.
One of the most important lessons we can ever learn is how to listen to God. In our complex and hectic lives, nothing is more urgent, nothing more necessary, and nothing more rewarding than hearing what God has to say to us.
A true conversation, of course, involves both talking and listening. Most of us do better with the talking part.
If we don’t learn how to listen to God, we can make unwise and very costly mistakes.
You may ask, “Does God really speak to us today?” The Bible assures us that He does. The book of Hebrews opens this way: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son. . . .” (Heb. 1:1, 2).
Our God is not silent. Our Heavenly Father is alive and active. He speaks to us individually. Furthermore, He doesn’t speak in veiled terms, riddles, or mysteries. He speaks plainly. The goal of any communicator is to be understood, not merely to speak well. God speaks in a way that we can hear Him, receive His message clearly, and understand precisely what He wants us to do.
God speaks not only in general and absolute terms, but also to each one of us personally. God is an infinite God, fully capable of communicating with each of us, right where we are—in the midst of our circumstances—in very personal, direct, and explicit terms.
This may be the most important concept you will ever grasp in learning how to listen to God. When God speaks, He is speaking to you. Everything in the Bible applies to your life in some way. Every message or communication based on the Word of God carries truth meant for you. There is no such thing as a chapter in the Bible, a sermon based on God’s Word, or a book that explains God’s Word, that is not for you. Each of us must take God’s Word personally!
This is not to say that God has an exclusive word for select individuals. God doesn’t deal in secrets. He won’t reveal truth to one person and deny it to another. Be on guard if you hear somebody say, “God told me something, but I can’t tell anybody else,” or “God had a word that’s just for me and not for you.”
God doesn’t play favorites. He doesn’t speak to one child and ignore His other children. His word of correction to you may be so personal that you don’t want to share it with others, but ultimately, God’s word of correction applies to everyone. The same goes for God’s promises, provisions, and insights.
God doesn’t speak frivolously. He doesn’t joke around. God means what He says and will do what He says. God is serious about His relationship with you. He expects you to respond to His voice, heed His Word, and act on it.
Can you remember last Sunday’s teaching? Can you recall what you read in God’s Word yesterday? You’ll be able to remember if you were listening for what God had to say to you and if you seriously believe that God intends for you to act upon what you heard.
God always speaks for your benefit. He wants you to listen to Him and then respond in obedience. Sometimes He will challenge you to change your thinking or to release certain unhealthy feelings and opinions. Sometimes He will command you to change aspects of your behavior. He desires to encourage you so that you might live with greater joy and strength. Always, however, God’s Word is for your transformation. He means for it to change you in some way.
Listening to God is not a casual pastime or a let’s-try-it-and-see-if-you-like-it activity. Listening to God is the most important thing you can do, for the sake of your eternal soul.