It seems sometimes when we try to be silent before God and to diligently listen to His voice that so many other things start happening. Numerous cares, concerns, fears and griefs can sneak in so fast and literally ruin the precious moments with God. Job once experienced something similar. Lets look at what he said:
Job 4:16 (KJV) “It stood still… there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying…”
Its amazing how a thousand other voices from within and without start to clamor for the attention when we want to get close to God and truly listen to Him. Some are our own voices. Our own questions. Our own prayers. Other voices are suggestions from the tempter, the “father of lies.” (John 8:44) Voices from the world’s turmoil will greedily vie for our attention. No sooner do we begin to pray then do we start to get pulled pushed greeted by noisy adjustments or crazy upheaval. Of course then, we deem it so necessary to answer some of the voices. To listen to them. To even give them our undivided attention. Once any of those voices get your attention, they have succeeded in stopping your effectual praying.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:1) Then comes our persistent conflict of thoughts for tomorrow or for some other day. But God says simply: “be still my precious child.”
As we learn by practice to listen and obey, and shut our ears to every other sound, we will finger that the other voices cease, or we cease to hear them. Then there is left for us the still small voice in the depths of our being that begins to speak to the soul with inexpressible tenderness, power, and comfort.
As we listen. As we watch and wait, that still small voice becomes to us the voice of our heart-felt prayers. The voice of wisdom. The voice of duty. We will then not need to think so hard. To pray so hard. To trust so hard.
Everything Godly seems so hard to the struggling soul. But the still small voice is the Holy Spirits prayer in my heart. (Rom 8:26) Creator’s secret practice in the soul. Creator’s answer to all my questions. Creator’s life and strength for my whole body and soul. The very substance of all my knowledge. All my prayer. And all the blessings in my life. The Living Creator Himself as my life my all. (1 Cor 1:24, 1 Cor 1:30,Eph 1:17)
“Christ in me” ( Col 1:27) is how my spirit “drinks” in the life of our risen Lord. It’s what enables me to go forward to life’s conflicts and duties like a flower that has drawn in, through the shades of the night shadows, the cooling crystal drops of refreshing morning dew.
I must remember and rest in the fact that just as the morning dew never falls on a stormy night, so too, the sweet, revitalizing dew of God’s grace is rarely visible to the restless entrusting soul. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth. And of his fullness have all we received, and grace for grace.” (John 1:14) “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12) Theories that do not recognize the atonement that has been made for sin, and the work that the Holy Spirit is to do in the hearts of human beings, are powerless to save. Christ lived the unpolluted life in this world to reveal to human beings the power of His grace that will be given to every soul that will accept Him as his Savior. {9MR 239.2}
When I think of the flower and the sustaining process as it rests perfectly quiet, perfectly still, in the solitude of the blackest night, I know that God us indicating to me that He wants to speak now.
He knows our lives are short, that they are like grass. He knows we are like a little wildflower that grows so quickly,
(Psalms 103:15)
Nature and revelation alike testify of God’s love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator’s love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures. In the beautiful words of the psalmist:
“The eyes of all wait upon Thee; And Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand, And satisfiest the desire of every living thing.” Psalm 145:15, 16. {SC 9.1}
The springs of heavenly peace and joy, unsealed in the soul of [God’s people] by the words of Inspiration, will become a mighty river of influence to bless all who connect with him. The Bible will not become a tiresome book to the student. Under a wise instructor the word will become more and more desirable. It will be as the bread of life, and will never grow old. Its freshness and beauty will [even]attract and charm the children and youth. It is like the sun shining upon the earth, perpetually imparting brightness and warmth, yet never exhausted. {COL 132.1}
God’s holy, educating Spirit is in His word. A light, a new and precious light, shines forth from every page. Truth is there revealed, and words and sentences are made bright and appropriate for the occasion, as the voice of God speaking to the soul. {COL 132.2}
Dear restless soul. It’s Creator’s turn now. The flowers are so beautiful. That’s why they are sent. God is telling us He is here. God is telling us He is waiting to speak.
How long will you keep our Creator waiting?