Slow down! Those two words will change your life—spiritually. “But I can’t,” you say. These three words, if left unchecked, will steer your life toward carnal control. It’s a stark contrast to the spiritual freedom that comes with slowing down and listening.
What’s more important in the Lord’s eyes, your wishes or His? Remember, obedience is the key to unlocking His divine plan for you.
Moses, a shepherd, was tending his father-in-law’s sheep on the backside of the desert. In this remote and quiet place, he encountered a miraculous sight—a bush was on fire and not burning up. As Moses approached, he heard a voice, the voice of God. There were no distractions, crowds, or frightening sounds, just God, Moses, and the burning bush. Then God spoke. Moses could hear the voice of God.
The second person is Elijah, an Old Testament prophet God used in many events. For example, Elijah announced there would be no rain for three years, and it didn’t rain for that period. Then the widow Zarephath flour bin, thought empty supplied meal until the drought was over. Later, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to call down fire from heaven. They couldn’t. But Elijah later prayed for fire to consume his water-drenched sacrifice, which God did (1 Kings18:38).
Afterwards, Elijah executed the prophets of Baal. Then, he ran at the threat of queen Jezebel for killing her prophets. Forty days later, alone in a cave, God spoke again to the prophet (1 Kings 19:9). You know the conversation. God wasn’t in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but the prophet heard a whispering voice. It was God speaking!
These two OT personalities demonstrate that our loving God doesn’t shout. He is patient and waiting for His servants to slow down so they can hear His quiet, non-threatening, instructive voice.
You and I need to remind ourselves that God wants to speak to us in our hearts. We can only hear His instructions if we slow down and situate ourselves in a quiet place. In other words, be available when He’s ready to speak concerning His desires and our needs. He knows when the time is right for His desires to happen. That doesn’t mean God will speak immediately when we sit still for 15 minutes. The Lord has His own timetable. Pay attention to the word “own” in the last sentence. God is in charge, not us. He sets the schedule. He knows when everything and everybody are ready to receive what He’s about to say and do.
Moses finally listened to the Lord and eventually led Israel out of Egypt. Elijah, however, still would not comply and said he was the only one left to serve the Lord (1 Kings 19:14). God disagreed and commissioned Elisha to take over.
So, what about you and me? The simple answer is when God speaks—listen. Not only listen but follow His instructions. If we do, we’ll be amazed at what God will do with and through us.
