His Voice

“Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you.  Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.”   Deuteronomy 4:1

Obedience leads to a tremendous amount of blessings.  This principle is throughout scripture.  But you cannot obey unless you first hear what is required.  You need ears that can hear and eyes that can see in order walk in obedience.  Ecclesiastes 3 states that there is a time for everything.  Well, is it a time to tear down or a time to build?  How do you know?  You have to consult the One who created time to know the answer.  This requires, not only hearing His answer, but also knowing it is the Lord when He speaks.  In John 10 the Good Shepherd refers His sheep as knowing His voice.  They don’t know about His voice; they know His voice. 

  You see the Pharisees knew scripture, but the disciples knew the Lord.   This knowing Him means to know Him intimately, not just as a casual acquaintance.

"Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion." Hebrews 3:15.

Hearing His voice leads to intimacy.  He bought this on the Cross.  He paid a heavy price to open the door to an intimate relationship with you.  He wants you.  How are you going to respond? 

You can know by reading any of the Gospels that interaction with the Lord will mean many blessings, but also, that He will violate your theology, offend your pride, and turn your world upside down.  Be prepared.  He’s not an idol that requires a systematic ritual to obtain a guaranteed result.  No, He’s far from controllable, but always trustworthy and faithful.  At times, He can be so gentle and tender; but He also doesn’t mind spitting in your eyes so you can see.  If you chose this dynamic relationship with a risen Savior, the adventure you set out on will not be boring and you’ll never regret it, but I make no promises about it being easy.

Oh, Lord, You are the Lord of Glory, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  Give this lump of clay the ability to trust this wild, noble and good Lion.  Let this dirt bound creature of earth fly in the heights of heaven.  Let this rebel delight in obedience.  Let this deaf, cold, dead heart hear Your voice and beat wildly, enthralled with Your Presence!  Amen.