So many voices are begging for our attention nowadays, and it can be difficult to hear God and do what He says. While I do not intend to dismiss the advantages and the disadvantages of prophetic voices, I have discovered that it is crucial, especially now, to have our relationship with God because each person must stand on the Solid Rock for himself/herself, who is Jesus Christ. I understand it is easier to have somebody else stand on the Rock while we are being carried in that person’s arms. The danger is that when we rely on others’ faith and they get to a season where they become weak in faith, we too will get weak instead of helping to strengthen theirs. Though the ‘spiritual codependency’ route may seem the easiest, it isn’t the safest. Thus, it is crucial to have that firm foundation from a personal relationship with God and to rid ourselves of any other unstable foundation.
It is always good to listen to God when He speaks to you specifically and not what other voices say, especially if what they say doesn’t align with what God said to you for your own life. Therefore, we listen to God for many reasons, and I will mention a few here.
First, we listen to God because He is Sovereign. God’s authority over us is supreme. He is the ultimate ruler, and whether we know it or not, He runs the show. There is nowhere on planet Earth, and in Heaven, that Jesus doesn’t have authority over. He has no match, and His Name is above all other names. For example, if God declares that someone shall not live, there is no demonic force, no amount of money, no connection that can make that person live. And the opposite is also true if He declares that this person shall live.
A healthy fear of God is essential in our journey with Him. If God tells us to turn right, even if everybody else, including our loved ones, says left, a right turn is the way to go. In Matthew 10:28, Jesus made it clear whom we shall fear. He said we shall fear God, not men. We are all called to respect and treat everyone respectfully and submit to authorities, but not to fear them.
We do not only listen to God because He is Sovereign, but also because He is our Father. Any great father expects His children to listen to him, especially in times of danger. He will train and discipline his kids when they are stubborn and disobedient because he loves them and doesn’t want them to suffer. This is no different when it comes to God, except that God’s love for His children surpasses the love of any earthly vessel.
Also, we listen to God because our lives are like a maze before God. In a maze game, the player’s challenge is to find the correct route, which may involve turns, twists, and dead ends. That’s because he is unable to see the full picture while playing. Someone else from the outside looking in, who has a full view of the picture, would be able to see the exit. Our lives are like a maze-like structure. God sees and knows the way out and what to do to help us avoid dead ends, according to His will, because He sees the whole picture. I have never read anywhere in the Bible where God has encouraged anyone to give up, because there is always a way out with Him. He has the puzzle in His hand and oversees it all. When Jesus was on earth, some of His disciples felt that salvation seemed unattainable. Yet, in Matthew 19:26, Jesus said: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
We also listen to God because that is the secret to our peace. Please allow me to elaborate on this one, and please note I didn’t say He is the secret to our peace, although this is also true. I have learned that God cannot give you true peace if you don’t want it. You may not know how to get it, and God will take full responsibility in showing you how, but you must want it. Your desire for it will be revealed based on your willingness to collaborate with God.
I have realized that we often pray for peace, but we intentionally or unintentionally seek or welcome chaos in our lives, and I am guilty of this myself. Isn’t it amazing how we like to ask God for peace, and then we run after or do the things against that peace we are looking for. If God weren’t God, He could have called it quits because we don’t know what we want or need. I’m glad God is an Omniscient God who knows us inside out and what we truly need. The beauty of it is that when we ask God to help us out, He does listen and is always willing to help because He wants us to experience true peace. The problem is whenever He steps in, His actions and ways are often intimidating and contrary to what we expect. The truth is the road to peace is often messy at first because God may have to disrupt and destroy some things in our lives to get us to true peace. And that’s when we feel like we are sinking; it feels like we are getting into more chaos. However, if we allow God to lead us, He will show us the light at the end of the tunnel, which requires complete trust in knowing He cannot fail us. If we truly desire true peace, the one that only God can give and that no man can take away, God can and will take us there. May God allow us to experience and to continue to experience His true peace, and as a witness to this, I can confidently say that God’s true peace is unmatched.
In conclusion, I believe that God wants to answer our prayers because He listens to us, but the question is, are we listening to Him to do what He says? God has a specific strategy concerning our prayers, whether it’s a prayer about peace, joy, health, education, family, or finances. He already has it all figured out, and that’s how concerned He is about us. There has never been anyone who confides in God for guidance who can confess that they have heard God tell them: “I’m sorry, I made a mistake concerning your life because I thought…” That’s the language of fickle men, not God’s. “For all the promises of God in Christ are yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” 2 Corinthians 1:20
May God Bless You Even More Abundantly in Jesus’ Name, Amen!
SCRIPTURES
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.’” Matthew 28:18
“But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations” Psalm 33:11
Leave a Reply