Hearing from God
By Elaine Cook Carr
TODAY’S TREASURE
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ." - Romans 10:17
"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105
For over 23 years I taught in rural west central Alabama at the high school level. Prior to this time, I had never in my life heard a turkey call (live or simulated). Every spring the halls and classrooms suddenly filled with the sound of nonstop turkey calls. This was because many of the young men were avid turkey hunters and kept their calls with them at all times. They practiced every chance they got so that when they had the opportunity to actually go turkey hunting, they could do well enough to call up a live turkey.
Not too long ago, I had the experience of hearing a turkey calling in the woods - over and over. Had I not heard it repeatedly during my years at the high school, I would have never recognized exactly what it was I was listening to. Hearing it live and in person made me happy and excited that I was able to identify the turkey's call. This caused me to begin to wonder about how it is that we hear from God. And when we hear it how do we recognize it? And does it thrill our hearts, and make us excited and want to seek to know Him better?
As modern-day Christians, we are blessed to be able to have the Word of God at our disposal! I would guess that many of us have multiple copies of the Bible in our homes. I grew up under the teaching of the Holy Scriptures and also memorized large portions of the Westminster Catechism. Question #2 asks: "What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?" The answer: "The word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.” We develop our relationship with God through the reading and the hearing of His Word. Not only do we learn about the Lord but we can develop a relationship with Him as we read His Word and spend time with Him there. As we listen to His words, we learn exactly how to follow Him. We learn to know Him so well that we immediately recognize His call when we hear it.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
God has generously provided many ways for us to get to know and love Him. We can spend time each day with Him in His Word. If that is not a regular practice for you and you don't know where to start, there are many daily Bible reading programs available online or printed devotionals that take you through the Word in a year. We are blessed to be able to fellowship with other believers by being united through faith and corporate worship and hearing His word proclaimed from the pulpit.
We have the ability to talk directly to Him in prayer. Together we rejoice in the sacraments of baptism and communion, where we remember Jesus and His sacrifice. We have the privilege of telling others about Him. . If we know Him thoroughly, we easily recognize His truth, just like I recognized that turkey when I heard it. When we hear it, we are excited about it, and follow it. If you haven’t spent time in the Word lately, here’s your challenge! You’ll be glad to hear from Him!
"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ." - Romans 10:17
"Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." - Psalm 119:105
PRAYER
Father in Heaven, please give us an abiding hunger for the truth and comfort of Your precious Word. Amen.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Elaine Cook Carr is a 38-year veteran educator, now retired, and has been married to a wonderful man for almost 48 years. He is also now retired from nearly 40 years of full-time pastoral ministry. In addition to teaching children with special needs, I have, over the years, been deeply involved in both women's and children's ministries in multiple capacities. We are parents to two adult children (a pastor and an RN) and have four precious grandchildren ranging in age from 15 to 5.
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Saturday, 19 August 2023.
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