Secondhand Jesus will never give us firsthand faith.~John Stickl
What if Peter relied on another disciple to tell him what Jesus said when he asked him to get out of the boat and walk on water?
What if Joshua obtained his orders from a person other than God concerning Jericho?
Suppose Abraham’s wife or friend told him God said he should take Isaac up the mountain?
None of these men would have ever believed or obeyed because it would have seemed ludicrous coming from anyone else. Impossible. Crazy.
We are no different than Peter, Joshua or Abraham. We need to hear from God directly.
Books, sermons, bible studies, and commentaries are all excellent and worthy resources, but they must not replace our talking and listening to God first hand. We cannot be in a relationship with someone we never speak to or hear from, at least not a healthy one. That is the difference in a religion verse a relationship with God.
We have to put in the time, the effort and carve out the space to be still so that we may hear His voice. Relying on someone else to tell us what God says is like having the most scrumptious dessert, but not being able to taste it. Instead, we have to depend on a friend to tell us about it. I don’t know about you, but I want to savor every morsel myself!
Surely God’s voice is a million times more desirable than even the most delicious food we can imagine? So why do we forgo that pleasure?
Hearing from God is not reserved for only the most spiritual. Sometimes I want it all with no effort, but it just does not work that way when it comes to God. He is a personal Father. He wants you to hear His voice, but unlike most things in our world today, there is no shortcut or instant fix.
Encountering God requires time, availability, commitment to His Word, patience, and a quiet, surrendered heart. Recognizing The Father’s voice necessitates we remove our interests so that we may realize His intentions.
Friend, let me encourage you not to rely on someone else’s information and miss your holy invitation. Jesus did not die for you to get glimpses of God externally, but that you may experience Him internally.
