I hope you are filled today with God’s love, peace, joy and hope. Regardless of our circumstances, these good gifts from God are always accessible to us with the right perspective and proximity to him. He is kind and generous with his children. Our circumstances don’t change his character.
A few weeks ago, God answered a question I’ve been praying about for months and it humbled me greatly. I remember many times in my life when I prayed and didn’t hear anything. Have you been there, too?
Just because we don’t “hear anything” back doesn’t mean God isn’t there or he isn’t working. Sometimes we are only listening for the answer we want to hear, so we tune out everything but that “yes” we are praying so desperately for. Sometimes, God is just asking us to wait, but that answer doesn’t seem clear. Sometimes, we may think he has given the green light, but we’re not sure if that is God or us. But through it all, know that God’s answer is the best answer. He is sovereign and always has the right answer.
I don’t have any formulas for hearing from God, but here are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
-Seek God through his word. Not just a devotional, but reading the Bible. Not just one time for an answer, but as an ongoing daily practice. If you don’t know where to start, maybe start with John or read through the New Testament. (I will always recommend The Bible Recap plan.) Ask God for a desire to know him more and a desire to read his word.
-Ask God to change your heart to align with his will. To want what he wants. To love as he loves. To forgive as he forgives.
-Fast. Joel 2:12 says ” ‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.’ ” Giving up something temporarily in order to turn toward God moves your heart closer to his.
-Pray. Pray by yourself. Go on prayer walks. Pray with your spouse, family or friends. God loves to hear from us.
-Give yourself space to hear from God. This may look like turning off the TV or car radio. It may look like sitting still and meditating. It may look like getting up earlier before the house wakes up to have quiet time with God.
-Ask God to reveal any darkness or sin that is affecting your life. Daniel 2:22 says, “He reveals deep and hidden things. He knows what lies in the darkness and light dwells with him.” Whether the sin is yours or is committed by someone close to you, exposing it and moving past it removes a barrier between us and God.
-Obey. God’s way is always the best way. Trust his good plan. Looking back, sometimes when I felt like I didn’t hear from God, I really just wasn’t hearing the answer I wanted. Be honest about what you think God is saying to you. Ask him for clarity and for desire and strength to obey.
God isn’t a power source that we can just plug in to when we want something, but we should remain plugged in to him. Our relationship with him matters. He knows our heart and our motivations, and he is so good. Let’s get to know him better, and as we do, we will be able to distinguish his voice more clearly.
Father, thank you for inviting us to turn to you for everything. Thank you for hearing our prayers and cherishing them. Thank you for seeing us, knowing our needs and caring for us. Please guide and direct us more clearly. Help us to discern your voice, like a sheep knows its shepherd. Help us to abide in you and obey your word. Amen.
Photo Credit: Ben White via Unsplash
