LISTEN AND LIVE
07th Sep 2022
I’m reading an account of Joy Dawson’s journey with Jesus, she sums it up by quoting the old chorus, “Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” She tells of many incidents where she made decisions based on hearing God in very specific terms.
It is of vital importance to be able to hear the voice of the Spirit of God and to obey what He asks, not always knowing the why, but trusting His wisdom and intimate care for you as His child.
In Jeremiah chapter 13 you can see how this principal is working in the prophet’s life - he listens, obeys, has further instructions, acts on them and then God applies what he has done to the national situation which gives him insight and direction for the nation.
In Jeremiah 23 we get a glimpse into the heart of God who longs to communicate with His people. He wants to encourage us, help us, instruct us, empower us, but so often we are living in independence and not listening or referring our lives to Him.
Jeremiah 23:22 says. “But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds.”
Jesus, in the person of the Holy Spirit indwells every born again believer and He wants to be in intimate communion with us, involved in our decisions, our lives and our emotions. He is named the Helper and that is what He longs to be. There is such joy knowing that you have personally heard the voice of the Shepherd, knowing He knows you and your circumstances, that He has more wisdom than Solomon, and so much love and care for you.
He always leads but never controls; you always have free will and can choose to follow or disobey. But experience tells me that His way, His plans for me, His choices always produce life in its fulness. So - listen and live!
by Joyce Sibthorpe
