Who are the grasshoppers?

Who are the grasshoppers?

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. – Numbers 14:1

Numbers 13:2-33

 2 Send out men to explore the land of Canaan, the land I am giving to the Israelites. Send one leader from each of the twelve tribes.

 25 After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned

 27 This was their report to Moses: “We entered the land you sent us to explore, and it is indeed a bountiful country – a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is the kind of fruit it produces.”

 28 “But the people living there are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified.”

 30 But Caleb tried to quiet the people as they stood before Moses. “Let’s go at once to take the land,” he said. “We can certainly conquer it!”

 31 But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!”

 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.”

 33 “We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them, we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!”

Webster defines a committee as “A body of persons delegated to consider, investigate, take action on, or report on some matter.” Others have less stellar definitions and comments regarding committees.

“A committee is a group of the unprepared, appointed by the unwilling to do the unnecessary” (Fred Allen).

“A committee is a group of people who individually can do nothing and collectively decide nothing can be done” (Wiersbe).

“A committee is a group that keeps minutes and loses hours” (Milton Berle).

“If you want to kill any idea in the world, get a committee working on it” (Charles Kettering).

“The best committee is made up of 3 people, 2 of whom are dead” (Jess Moody).

“If Columbus had an advisory committee, he would probably still be at the dock” (Arthur Goldberg).

“A camel is a horse designed by committee” (Alec Issigonis).

“Football combines the two worst things about America: it is violence punctuated by committee meetings” (George Will).

The Father told Moses to form a committee of 12 men to investigate the Promised Land and determine its viability. They changed their mission from the investigation of the land to an investigation of the armies and fortifications of Canaan. This was a tragic mistake (Numbers 13:1).

Of the 12 spies, all but 2, Joshua and Caleb, focused on the seemingly overwhelming obstacles they would face when they entered the land of promise. They failed to recognize and believe in the Father’s promise that he had already given them the promised land. By faith, they merely had to take possession of what he had already given them. Instead, they became discouraged.

“Their discouragement quickly spread throughout the camp. Doubt had turned into unbelief, and unbelief is rebellion against God (Numbers 14:9; Hebrews 3:16-19)” (Wiersbe).

They cried out in unbelief, “we are not able” (Numbers 13:31). “Because these ten men were walking by sight, they didn’t really believe God’s promises. They looked at the people of the land and saw giants; they looked at the Canaanite cities and saw high walls and locked gates, and they looked at themselves and saw grasshoppers” (Wiersbe).

Numbers 13:33 We felt like grasshoppers.

Indeed, there were grasshoppers in the land. However, by the Father’s reckoning, it was not the children of Israel who were the grasshoppers. It was the Canaanites.

Isaiah 40:22 God sits above the circle of the earth. The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!

REFLECT & PRAY

“We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems” (John Gardner).

Father help me to see things as You see things. All the machinations of the human race are nothing but a source of laughter and amusement to the Lord God Almighty (Psalms 2:7).

INSIGHT

There were, however, Joshua and Caleb, two men of faith, among the 12 spies. In contrast to the evil report of the 10 faithless spies, they offered a good report, a minority report. How was their report received? At the very least, it was highly unpopular.

Numbers 14:6-10

 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua, son of Nun, and Caleb, son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing.

 7 They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land!

 8 And if the LORD is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey.

 9 Do not rebel against the LORD, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! Their protection has been removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”

 10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb.

Joshua and Caleb were like NFL quarterbacks after losing a game. They immediately went from the penthouse to the outhouse. The disheartened children of Israel wanted to kill them. But the Father had another plan and stopped them dead in their tracks. From the Father’s point of view, they were not rejecting Joshua and Caleb; they were in open rebellion against Him.

Numbers 14:10-11

 10 Then, the glorious presence of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.

 11 And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?

The Father had had enough of their faithless criticism and defiance. He told Moses that he was prepared to destroy them on the spot. He would respond with a do-over. He would replace them with the descendants of Moses (Numbers 14:12). Graciously but firmly, Moses interceded on behalf of the children of Israel.

Numbers 14:19 In keeping with your magnificent, unfailing love, please pardon the sins of this people, just as you have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”

The Father granted Moses’ request. Because of their defiant rebellion, they would never enter the land of promise. They would not even be allowed to see it. Their fate was now sealed once and for all. The Father’s words were direct, blunt, and chilling.

Numbers 14:28-30

 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you the very things I heard you say.

 29 You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die.

 30 You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb, son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, son of Nun.

Malachi 1:6 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name!

It is a harrowing thing to disrespect the living God!

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

© Dr. H 2022

Guard your heart

Guard your heart

Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. – Proverbs 4:23

Philippians 4:6-7

 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Modern technology has given rise to criminal fraud, theft, scams, cons, and swindles driven by human avarice and greed. Who has not received suspicious calls (phone phishing) and text messages pretending to be service providers. Many of these impersonate companies such as Amazon, Apple, or even the IRS. Then there is the perpetual catfishing that takes place on dating sites. People pretend to be somebody they’re not, include a photo, and offer a come-on to entrap you. The purpose of the efforts is often to obtain money or, worse, your identity, digital banking username or password, and debit card details or account information via surreptitious intrusions into our personal space.

It is wise to be suspicious and guard yourself against these criminal activities.

More importantly, the Children of the King are advised to guard their hearts.

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

Why is the heart so important?

Solomon states that from the heart flow the springs of life. The Hebrew word translated as heart is right is lev.  When Solomon speaks of the heart, he is not referring to the physical organ. Instead, the heart represents the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right and wrong (conscience). This term is also used in idioms such as “to set the heart upon,” meaning “to think about,” or “to want” (TWOT).

The Hebrew word translated as flow, springs, sources, or issues is totsaoth. Typically totsaoth refers to the starting point or source, where something begins or springs into being. “The thought expressed here is that what people think, what is in their minds, determines how they will act. . .. a person’s life is somehow determined by the thoughts stored in the heart or mind (UBS). This phrase could be translated as “‘Everything you do comes out of your heart.’ CEV says ‘Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.’” (UBS).

Essentially Solomon is warning the children of the King to diligently guard their hearts, minds, emotions, and thoughts. This is easy to say but not so easy to do. How often do our thoughts or emotions seem to have a life of their own and take off all by themselves?

When our thoughts and emotions focus on uncertainty and the unknown, they often lead to anxiety and fear. Is there a more excellent way to handle it? Yes indeed! Paul shows the way.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Anxiety wanes and eventually disappears when we take our concerns to the God who has the power and the wisdom to take care of them, believing that He always has our best interests at heart” (Stanley).

Father thank You that the peace of God is not merely the absence of anxiety or conflict. Indeed, it is the tranquility of Your presence in the midst of our circumstances.

INSIGHT

Philippians 4:6-7

 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Rather than giving in to our uncertainty and anxiety and becoming consumed with fear and dread, we are to pray with heartfelt thankfulness for all that the Father has done. When children of the King respond in this way, the Father guarantees that something extraordinary will happen far beyond our human understanding. Somehow the Father implants His peace in our hearts. We become calm, confident, hopeful, and even buoyant. It is truly amazing to experience the same peace that the Father Himself has. What a remarkable honor and blessing.

Children of the King “are to live without care – but not ‘uncaring’ or ‘careless.’ Jesus invites his followers to live ‘without anxiety’ because their heavenly Father knows and cares for them . . .. Apprehension and fear mark the life of the unbelieving, the untrusting, for whom the present is all there is, and for whom the present is so uncertain – or for many so filled with distress and suffering . . ..” (Fee).

When faced with situations where others worry and fret, children of the King “submit their case to God in prayer, accompanied by thanksgiving.  . .. In so doing, one acknowledges utter dependence on God, while at the same time expressing complete trust in him” (Fee).

When we present our cases before the Father, why is it essential that our petitions are accompanied by thanksgiving? Paul provides the answer throughout his life. In Paul’s way of thinking, the lives of children of the King should be marked by a constant outpouring of gratitude to God. “Thanksgiving is an explicit acknowledgment of creatureliness and dependence, a recognition that everything comes as a gift, the verbalization before God of his goodness and generosity” (Fee).

But there’s more.

The Greek word translated as worry or anxious is merimnao. It has the sense of over-anxiety, anxious care, being troubled, or unduly concerned. In the Greek language, words closely related to merimnao are meris and merizo. They have the sense of dividing or parting. When we worry, we divide our emotions and become fractured and splintered internally.  

The Greek word translated as peace is eirene. Eirene is inner tranquility or rest. Eirene is the opposite of war. It is the freedom from worry. The peace of God originates in and comes from God. What is the relationship between peace and God? It is a peace that comes from God. Indeed, it is the peace caused by God (UBS). Peace in the Scriptures is not merely the absence of strife and trouble. Peace is an inner sense of well-being that derives from the presence of the Father. It is an extraordinary and magnificent gift of God. Worry divides our emotions and fractures us; peace brings our fractured emotions into harmony.

The Father’s peace becomes our guardian, our protector. The peace of God literally takes on the responsibility of guarding our hearts. Nothing can penetrate the protection provided by the father’s peace. As we depend upon Him, we simply entrust our fragile hearts to Him. In the 21st century, we would say that the Father has our backs. In the first century, Paul said that He has our hearts. How magnificent is that?

Paul is echoing The Sermon on the Mount. The Lord Jesus Christ was crystal clear; children of the King are not to be anxious. Instead, they are to entrust themselves into the hands of their loving heavenly Father.

Why did Paul use the word guard? Could it be that Paul recalled his own imprisonment and the Roman guards that watched over him? But rather than strong, determined, well-trained, and fierce Roman soldiers, the Father guards us with His peace.

When we seek the Father and depend upon Him, we are free to entrust our fragile hearts to Him. Oswald Chambers referred to this practice as the art of abandonment. We learn and practice the art of guarding our hearts, not in our own strength, but instead abandoning them to the Lord Jesus Christ. Rather than attempting to handle our confused emotions ourselves, we abandon them to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace and joy simply cannot coexist with anxiety, frustration, anger, and bitterness. Anger left unchecked all too frequently results in depression and a desire for revenge.

Philippians 4:13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

© Dr. H 2022

After His own heart

After His own heart

The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. – 1 Samuel 13:14

2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose heart is completely His.

Businesses are well aware of what it takes to recruit the best possible candidates for their job openings. The overriding critical factor in recruiting is finding people who will succeed and stick around. Finding individuals that are the best fit is paramount.

Companies are on the lookout for individuals who are most likely to produce the best results in a given position. Behind the scenes, this requires careful and strategic planning. Bad hires are costly and create all kinds of collateral damage. It is essential to find people that have not only abilities to optimize performance but also those that share the company’s values and objectives.

The Father is in the Redemption Business. His purpose is to make Himself known. He provides essential Truth so that all people might make the best possible decisions and follow Him. The Father never looks at resumes. If not resumes, what does He look at? He looks at hearts! He disregards outward appearance entirely. He knows the heart of each person.

Psalms 44:21 [God] knows the secrets of every heart.

When He makes a selection, no interviews are required. He never consults with current team members to obtain their opinions or preferences. When He has to let someone go and replace them, He does so at His own discretion.

Acts 13:22 God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, “I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.”

The Father had already identified Saul’s replacement, a man after His own heart. “This phrase does not refer merely to David’s piety or private and personal character virtues. Instead, it refers to David’s commitment and service to the Father. David was zealous to serve the Father. Saul was a trainwreck of a King. He had failed to obey the Father’s instructions and commands (James E. Smith).

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father has a special place in His heart for those that are entirely His. It is of greater importance for a child of the King to have a special place in God’s heart rather than merely that the Father has a special place in their heart.

Father how I long to be a man after Your heart. Oh Father, I want to have a special place in Your heart even more.

INSIGHT

What does the Father desire most from the children of the King? The Father looks for those who put His interests before their own.

What are the characteristics of a person after the Father’s own heart? The answer unfolds in the Scriptures. Such individuals are blameless, innocent, faithful, pure, humble, courageous, and fearless. They are characterized by integrity and spirituality. They are all in and willing to do everything the Father desires. Consider David’s self-description.

2 Samuel 22:24-29

 24 I am blameless before God; I have kept myself from sin.

 25 The LORD rewarded me for doing right. He has seen my innocence.

 26 “To the faithful, you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.

 27 To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the wicked, you show yourself hostile.

 28 You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.

 29 O LORD, you are my lamp. The LORD lights up my darkness.

The Father seeks those after his own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).This thought may be expressed as “a person whose desire is to serve the LORD” or “the kind of man he wants” (UBS). But there’s a problem with human hearts, and the Father alone can see through the facades that people hide their hearts behind.

Jeremiah 17:9-10

 9 The human heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

 10 But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives.

Thus the Father instructed Samuel on what to do as he sought the next king of Israel.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

How can any child of the King draw close to the Father and become a person whose heart is fully His? David shows us the way.

“David has a heart attuned to Yahweh’s will and purposes” (Walton). Any of us can do the same if we so desire. As we observe and ponder David’s qualifications, any of us can choose to be like him.

Seek to be blameless, innocent, faithful, pure, humble, courageous, and fearless. Determine that your life will be characterized by integrity and spirituality. And most of all, devote yourself to being willing to do everything the Father asks of you.

Seek to avoid being like Saul in his disobedience. When he was confronted, he was full of excuses and seemingly had several valid reasons. “Brushing aside Saul’s excuses, Samuel condemned the king’s actions as those of a fool. No line of reasoning, however compelling, could ever justify disobedience to the Lord. Saul had disobeyed the Lord’s “command” (1 Samuel 13:13) and had to suffer the penalties” (Robert D. Bergen).

However, there is an unexpected twist regarding “God’s own heart.” This is a two-sided coin.

1 Samuel 16:7 The LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

A more literal translation of the last sentence is: “For the LORD sees not as man sees, for man sees according to the eyes, but the LORD sees according to the heart.”

“God is not limited, as humans are, in his point of view. He is not deceived by outward appearances. He sees a person’s heart. . .. That is, when God sees, he does not just see things with the eyes, as we do, taking in only impressions. God sees according to his heart. That is, God’s point of view is determined by his own will and purpose. He sees according to his own intentions, his heart” (Woodhouse).

“The expression ‘a man after [God’s] own heart’ has entered Christian jargon, usually as a statement about the qualities of the person. In 1 Samuel 13:13, however, the expression is literally, ‘The LORD has sought for Himself a man according to his own heart’ . . .. This is about the place this man had in God’s heart rather than about the place God had in the man’s heart. It was a way of saying that God had chosen this man according to his own will and purpose” (Woodhouse).

Indeed, the Father had a special place in David’s heart. However, of greater importance, David had a special place in the Father’s heart.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯  

© Dr. H 2022

Imperfection ∙

Imperfection ∙

Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. – Matthew 5:48

James 1:2-4

 2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,

 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

 4 And let endurance have its perfect result so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Webster defines perfection as the state of being perfect, being entirely without fault or defect, corresponding to an ideal standard or abstract concept, lacking in no essential detail.

The term imperfection is the state of being faulty or incomplete. It is the opposite of perfection, not perfect, faulty, or incomplete. It is flawed, defective, inferior, or substandard.

Imperfection is found almost everywhere we look. What in our world is without fault, flawless, or blameless? Even the noblest among us have a tiny bit of tarnish somewhere. But what about perfection? Where can it be found? Many things that we think or hope might be perfect are proven not to be in the end. Even the magnificent statue of David by Michelangelo was sculpted from flawed marble.

Search as we might, there is only One who claims to be perfect and is affirmed to be just that, the Father God!

Matthew 5:48 Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Greek term translated as perfect is teleios. It comes from the Greek word telos, goal, purpose, and end. The Greek term teleios can be used in an absolute sense. The Heavenly Father’s perfection is absolute. He has no faults, weaknesses, or shortcomings. He is not flawed or defective in any way.

The Father’s perfection never changes. He has always been and will always be perfect, absolutely perfect. People can only be relatively perfect, hence mature.

In Matthew 5, the Lord Jesus Christ sets the bar for each of us. We are to strive to be perfect in our righteousness and moral integrity. We know, of course, we can never be perfect as the Father is. But that is our goal: to strive after perfection, which presents a bit of a conundrum. But it is easily resolved. Of course, the Father knows that we are fallen creatures and will never be perfect in our righteousness. He accepts us the way we are. But He still sets high standards. Paul explains.

Philippians 3:12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Paul was all in and totally devoted to the pursuit of the perfection to be found in Christ. He truly wanted to be perfect. Like Paul, many of us are determined to be the best and do our best. Rather than becoming discouraged with our inability to achieve perfection, we can accept it as a process of growing to maturity. Over time we will become more and more like the Lord Jesus Christ, knowing that we, as fallen creatures, will never make it in this life.

James 1:4 When your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

The Greek term teleios has a relative sense and can be translated as mature, finished, or complete. It does not mean without flaw or error but indicates maturity and completeness. It implies a process.

Being perfect, in this sense, is not the opposite of being imperfect. Instead, being perfect is the opposite of being incomplete.

James offers a sneak peek for each child of the King regarding how we become everything the Father desires for us. He gives us a glimpse of how we become equipped for His tasks for us.

The Greek word translated as complete is holokleros, needing nothing, entire, complete in every part. It underscores the incremental character of the process. When the process is complete, we are fully formed and lacking in nothing. The Greek term translated as lacking is leipo. It means to fail, lack, be wanting, be deficient. When we are mature and complete, we have everything we need.

Picture a caterpillar being transformed into a butterfly in its cocoon. It only emerges when all the parts are fully formed.

REFLECT & PRAY

When the Father sees human imperfection, He offers love, forgiveness, and redemption.

Father I long to be mature, complete, and lacking in nothing. Please make it so.

INSIGHT

Perfectionism is a dangerous thing. A tried and true way of breaking the cycle of perfectionism is to take on a task that can never be done perfectly. One such task is parenting. Perhaps moms more than dads are very much aware that not only are their children imperfect, but their children’s friends are even more imperfect. They both tend to leave a trail of sorts wherever they go within a home. Many moms take on the responsibility of cleaning up their mess. And time and time again, just as everything is back in order, the children return.

There are perils associated with perfectionism. Striving for an unattainable goal is difficult for anyone, but it is particularly frustrating for people inclined to be perfectionistic.

It is one thing to strive to be perfect and righteous. It is quite different from being obsessed with perfection itself. The perfectionist continually strives to perfect and clean up their environment and the people in their lives. Even minor variances, minor mistakes, and “imperfections” can be very unsettling.

The Father is not constantly “on the backs” of people who are less than perfect. If He were, we would have little time left for anything else. He gives us a great deal of “space” and is patient with us, allowing us to correct our own mistakes before He steps in (Constable).

Is there a proper kind of obsession involving perfection for the children of the King? Yes. We should be focused on the perfection of the Lord Jesus Christ and fix our eyes on Him.

Hebrews 12:1-4

 1 Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. He endured the cross because of the joy awaiting him, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.

 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then, you won’t become weary and give up.

 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

Peace and contentment are not realized when everything is perfect because perfection will never happen on this side of heaven. Instead, peace and contentment flow when we decide to look beyond imperfections.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 11-10-2

© Dr. H 2022

Hearing from God

Hearing from God

I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem. – Nehemiah 2:12

John 10:27-29

 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me,

 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand.

21st-century research suggests that good communication is often the foundation of a good relationship. Good communication enhances relationships. But it is not a panacea. Dr. John Gottman, a clinical psychologist and the founder of the Gottman Institute, has observed that a couple’s communication pattern can predict a successful relationship and marriage. (Gottman, The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work).

The epicenter of our Christian experience is intended to be our personal relationship with the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. All children of the King are invited to know and experience the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Any barriers or chasms between them and us have been eliminated through the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ begins we hear His voice and respond in faith by coming to Him.

John 10:27-28

 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me.

However, “hearing the word from God” is often inherently cause for concern. Why is this so? There are many competing voices in the spiritual world. How can we be sure that the voice we hear is indeed from the Father?

1 John 4:1  Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because there are many false prophets in the world.

Regrettably, we have more than our share of “enlightened masters,” gurus, and the new super spirituality of the church of Oprah. When we seek to hear from the Father, we must make sure that it’s His voice we are hearing and not our own thoughts or someone else’s ideas.

So how can we know when God is speaking? We have clear and concise guidelines. “God’s voice is always consistent with His Word. Any message must agree with what the Lord has already said in the Scriptures. His voice is quiet. God speaks to our hearts through His Holy Spirit in an inaudible but compelling way. The Lord speaks clearly. If we’ll tune our hearts to Him by setting aside time to read His Word and listen for His Spirit to speak, He will give us clear guidance” (Stanley).

REFLECT & PRAY

Psalms 37:5 Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.

Father I long to hear your voice and follow. Keep my heart open and responsive. Remind me not to draw attention to myself but rather to you.

INSIGHT

Some definitions are helpful.

Inspiration – In modern English, we use the term “inspiration” in two entirely different ways. First, “inspired” has the sense Of being “fired up,” motivated. People are inspired, and this type of inspiration moves or animates our minds, emotions, or wills. Biblical inspiration is quite different.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness,

Paul teaches that the Scriptures are the inspired work or product of God. Paul focuses on the Bible, which is inspired, not the Father’s people used to write it.

The Greek word translated as inspired is theopneustos. Theopneustos literally means inspired by God or God-breathed. Theopneustos is made up of theos – God + pneo – to breathe.

Illumination – There are times when we read the Scriptures that “God speaks to us.” It is as though what we read was written just for us at that moment in our lives. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. He came to help us to understand the Scriptures.

John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

Revelation – Revelation is “God’s disclosure of Himself.” In a technical sense, revelation is disclosing information not previously known or known only to God. The Bible is the revelation of God to man, par excellence.

2 Peter 1:20-21

 20 Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding,

 21 or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.

There is a common thread for each revelation found in the Scriptures, regardless of the means or method by which it came. It was a personal communication from the Father to the individual that received it. The nature of this personal interaction between the Father and people is explained and defined in a rather unlikely place, the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a man with a mission, a calling from God to restore the defenses of Jerusalem and boost the morale of the returning exiles. Nehemiah writes,

Nehemiah 2:12 I didn’t tell anyone what my God had laid on my heart to do for Jerusalem.

Nehemiah states that the Father laid/put on his heart what He wanted him to do. The Father was directing or guiding his path in a very specific fashion. This is the essential core, the baseline, of what it means to listen to God. The Father wishes to communicate with us. When He does, He places thoughts, ideas, feelings, and even plans into our minds and hearts.

“Nehemiah felt that God had put into his heart what he had planned . . . He felt that he was led by God to what he was to do. God ‘had inspired’ (GNT) him, ‘was prompting’ (NEB) him, or ‘had put the thoughts into his heart about what he should do” (UBS).

This verse provides the what and the Who, but not the how. “What my God had put in my heart is a translation that veils the process by which an inspired plan was developing in Nehemiah’s mind” (Schoville).

“The immediacy of the action expressed by a present participle, ‘what my God was prompting me to do.’ He was forming the plan in his mind as he went, convinced that his thoughts were being framed by God” (Williamson).

The Hebrew word translated as laid or put is nathan. Nathan primarily means to give, put, set, or set up. Nathan marks the act, which sets something in motion.

To complete the task of rebuilding would take extraordinary leadership, confidence, and determination. “Nehemiah was to face many problems and much opposition, but his sense of divine direction would give him confidence. He was humbly aware that it was God who had entrusted the project to him and would give him the wisdom by which it would be accomplished (Breneman).”  

What does this imply? “This suggests that God leads people step-by-step as they respond in obedience to earlier directions. He guides them as they understand the circumstances and face the dilemmas of each new challenge” (Smith).

When we “hear from God,” we run the not-so-subtle enticement to draw attention to ourselves and not to the Father who was behind the message. Nehemiah, however, stipulates quite clearly that “the project was not his. It was from God and ‘for Jerusalem’ – not from Nehemiah nor for his prestige” (Kidner).

To hear from the Father and follow Him requires a soft and open heart.

Hebrews 4:7 Today, when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.

Proverbs 3:5-6

 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

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© Dr. H 2022