Listen to God – Day 35

Truth:

But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds. Jeremiah 23:22 (New International Version)

Thought:

There is one sermon I often hear preached that I just can’t agree with. It is divisive to evangelistic outreach, ignores the context of Scripture and it’s ignorant of the plans and purposes of God.

Yet the main point it makes is true… it’s just based on the wrong text.

Now, don’t lambaste your pastor if he ever preaches, “Don’t have an Ishmael” because in this fast from negativity you should be in the habit of only speaking words that build up.  It’s not my intention to cause divisions with this illustration. Most preachers just don’t read the text, God will hold them to account – you don’t have to.

The basic premise of the sermon is, “don’t get ahead of God.” Great, I agree.

That’s not what Abraham did though:

In Genesis 13 God told Abram his offspring would be like the dust of the earth – no one could count them. In Chapter 15 God confirmed the offspring would come from Abram’s own body. In Chapter 16 Abram’s wife Sarai offered her maidservant to fulfill a culturally legitimate function that God honored in the creation of the twelve patriarchs, two generations later. In Chapter 17 God finally told the newly named Abraham, Sarah would have a son AND that God would bless Ishmael (v.20).

That’s really not the topic of today’s thought, simply something we need to change in the church if we’re ever going to see Islam go the way of Communism before Christ returns. God loves the children of Ishmael, and is waiting for their full number to come in.

“Don’t get ahead of God” is a true message. Jesus only said what He heard the Father say and only did what He heard the Father do (John 5:19-20). Do you think Christ’s times of getting away to pray had anything to do with it?

“Don’t get ahead of God” isn’t a license to stay stagnant. It’s a challenge to listen and obey. When you stand in the council of God, He tells you the words to say, He gives you the love to show, He provides the strategies you need. (Jeremiah 23:22)

When we listen with expectancy, we hear the voice of God.  When we hear God, we are encouraged. When we hear God, we are blessed. When we hear God, we know who we are. Waiting to hear the voice of God is another way to strengthen ourselves in the Lord.

So make the time to expectantly listen… then go until God says, “no.”

Prayer:

Father, I come in the name of Jesus Christ with thanksgiving and praise. As I wait upon You now, I do my best to listen to Your voice. I stand before the almighty God and seek Your counsel. Please reveal any information that I need for today. Reveal any strategies that I need to employ right now. I need to be knowing and doing what You want.

Challenge:

Spend time in the presence of God. Expect Him to speak. Wait for Him to speak. Do what He says… it will always be in line with His will expressed in Scripture.

Declaration:

I choose not to be discouraged. I choose to look to God instead of my circumstance. I choose to strengthen myself in the Lord.