Hearing Gods Voice

Prayer Meeting Meditation

September 11, 1991

Hebrews 3:7-8; 14-15 also Hebrews 4:7

Exodus 17:1-7 "Is the Lord among us or not?"

Focus: Psalm (7-8)

As I get older my hearing gets less trustworthy. Is that possible in spiritual sense? Not necessarily; however we can take God's voice for granted.

It is not just possible that heart-hardening could be imperceptible and slow? Could my "spiritual hearing" possibly be affected by a hardening of the heart?

FOUR WAYS MY SPIRITUAL HEARING MIGHT BE BLOCKED OR IMPAIRED:

A FAILURE TO PRAISE THE LORD FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE!

(1) Hebrews 3:12

This is the incident of referred to in Psalm 95 and three times here in Hebrews (Exodus 17) where the people GRUMBLED even though God had done so very much for them . . . LEST there be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God.

THINKING THAT GOD'S SIMPLE, HOLY, RIGHTEOUS 'RULES OF SIN' DO NOT APPLY TO YOU

(2) Hebrews 3:13

The children of Israel were called OUT of Egypt, INTO a special relationship with God. They were to be HOLY so they could be LIKE God, and be NEAR Him! God's laws are for OUR benefit; and they have not changed! Honesty/Purity/Mercy/Humility LEST any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

SETTLING DOWN' ... BY THINKING "NOW I HAVE ARRIVED!"

... AT ANY STAGE OF THE JOURNEY!

(3) Hebrews 4:1

Caleb and Joshua never "got used" to wandering around; they knew there was yet a GOAL to attain. They didn't "just settle." (Genesis 15:6!!) LEST while a promise remains . . . any of you should seem to have come short of it.

NEGLECTING THE LIVING QUALITY OF THE WORD OF GOD

... EITHER BY NOT HEEDING BIBLE PREACHING, OR MORE IMPORTANT, BY NOT READING TO OBEY!

(4) Hebrews 4:11,12

It is never a light thing to have access to God's Word; to God's will for YOU! LEST anyone fall through following the same example of disobedience. Light is for walking in!

Conclusion:

God is speaking every day! He has a plan for YOU! You can hear Him! You can know Him! God IS speaking! He WILL give us "REST" as we pursue "REST!" Heaven's JOY as we go toward heaven and home!

So— (stated positively):

  1. PRAISE the Lord . . . don't grumble!
  2. Stay away from sin (temptation!) . . . sin is deceitful!
  3. Never think you have (fully) arrived!
  4. Keep digging in into God's Holy Word!

Jesus is our great High Priest!

[ vvs 14-15-16 Let us therefore draw near with CONFIDENCE!]

EH #66 May the Mind of Christ, My Savior