Every time [YHWH] steps off the Throne of Heaven and walks on the earth with the sons and daughters of Adam, [ordinary lives] always undergo an extreme makeover of absolutely historic proportions.
Thinking today about how radically the lives of an ordinary shepherd Abram and his wife Sarai were changed because they listened and had the faith to obey. Not only their lives were changed, but the course of history has felt the impact of their obedience for over 4,000 years.
So it is with my life and the life of anyone else who will sh'ma - the Hebrew word that means listen, or hear and do - YHVH's voice speaking to us. Why is it, then, that we don't listen, or hear and do? Is our faith weak? Are we doubting what we are hearing is not from God? Do we think that He would never speak to us because we're not as important as someone like Abram? Guess again: Abram wasn't called because he was important. He became important because he had faith in the One who called him, and obeyed the call.
I'm not saying YHVH is calling us to father a nation that will impact and bless all mankind. That job has already been filled. I'm not saying God is calling you to be Billy Graham or Mother Teresa. God calls each one of us because He has a job for US - each one of us. No, I'm saying that Abram took one step of faith and obedience, which led to another, which led to another. It's not that hard of a pattern to follow.
I know... I know... "How do I hear God's voice?" It's the question we have all asked at one point in time. I have found that the more time you spend reading His Word, the more you will begin to recognize His Voice. (Granted, that was not the pattern for Abram as there was no written Word at that point in history. He was also a few thousand years closer to those who had walked and talked intimately with God, so one might think Abram possibly had an inkling of Who he was hearing.)
But I would like to suggest that there are plenty of clues written down in the Instruction Manual of Life for us, if we just take to time to dust off the cover:
So it is with my life and the life of anyone else who will sh'ma - the Hebrew word that means listen, or hear and do - YHVH's voice speaking to us. Why is it, then, that we don't listen, or hear and do? Is our faith weak? Are we doubting what we are hearing is not from God? Do we think that He would never speak to us because we're not as important as someone like Abram? Guess again: Abram wasn't called because he was important. He became important because he had faith in the One who called him, and obeyed the call.
I'm not saying YHVH is calling us to father a nation that will impact and bless all mankind. That job has already been filled. I'm not saying God is calling you to be Billy Graham or Mother Teresa. God calls each one of us because He has a job for US - each one of us. No, I'm saying that Abram took one step of faith and obedience, which led to another, which led to another. It's not that hard of a pattern to follow.
I know... I know... "How do I hear God's voice?" It's the question we have all asked at one point in time. I have found that the more time you spend reading His Word, the more you will begin to recognize His Voice. (Granted, that was not the pattern for Abram as there was no written Word at that point in history. He was also a few thousand years closer to those who had walked and talked intimately with God, so one might think Abram possibly had an inkling of Who he was hearing.)
But I would like to suggest that there are plenty of clues written down in the Instruction Manual of Life for us, if we just take to time to dust off the cover:
II Chronicles 25 tells us that "As long as King Uzziah (also called Azariah) sought the Lord, God made him prosper." Conversely, in II Chronicles 25-26, we learn that Uzziah's father, Amaziah turned from the LORD and did not prosper.
Lesson learned: Seek the Lord. Kind of a no-brainer, don't you think? Because once we start seeking - and listening for - the voice of YHVH, there is no scarcity of instructions to be found. He has called and continues to call. It's on us to sh'ma - Hear and Obey.
If you enjoy Christine Miller's art, you might also enjoy her Bible studies.
It's funny. You say if we are obedient we will prosper. I feel so very well off. I have no income and depend on the kindness and generosity of friends, family, and neighbors and am oneday from homelessness, yet, I feel full.
ReplyDeleteYou feel full because you are not letting the world define "prosperous" for you. The prosperity gospel teachers have a skewed focus. This world is not our home.
ReplyDelete