Saturday, December 29, 2012

Our Response to the Voice of God

On 28 December 2012 morning, while commuting to work, the following Bible verse from Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV) popped up on my mobile phone:-

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
“This is the way, walk in it,”
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.

Having read and reflected on it, I left it at that and immersed myself with activities for the day. After work, I would take the train and alight at an interchange station and changeover to another train for my final stop. That evening though at the interchange, I had a clear and deep impression to board the next train towards its centre segment although I would usually get in at the front segment to my right.

I felt good and at peace to follow the prompting although I do not understand what this could mean. No big deal, I thought to myself. If that's what the Holy Spirit is directing, then that's what I need to do. Well, from the little experiences that I had had before on other circumstances, I have found that God already know in advance that which has not unfolded in the realm of time.

It was a humdrum ride and I alighted coolly at my final stop. As I proceeded to the exit, lo and behold, I saw one of my cell group member, Charles Cheong, seated on a bench waiting for the train which will be coming on the adjacent platform and heading to the opposite direction. Man, was I glad to bump into him. I felt like I had not seen him for the longest time (we were together in cell group meeting two Fridays ago). We talked and fellowshipped for a while before I went on my way.

Then, I knew what God was setting me up for. This is but a small glimpse of divine connection. It's like what Pastor Steven Furtick says in his book "Greater" that while we dream big dreams, we start smaller -- a whole lot smaller. In this connection, he also recalled that the German-born evangelist Reinhard Bonke had preached before that "Peter didn't actually walk on the water. He went walking on the word. He stepped out onto c-o-m-e." (page 45, Greater, by Steven Furtick).

Dear friends, the issue for us today is not whether God is still speaking. The truth is God is always speaking to us. Consider, Hebrews 1:1~2 (NIV):-

In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe

As we spend time with God and study His word, we will hear His Voice. Get hold of Bible study resources in print or on the internet (e.g., www.biblegateway.com), and let the Holy Spirit teach us: What does the Word say?; What does it mean?; and How does it apply to me?.

Truly and verily, Jesus says to us in John 10:27 (NKJV) and Revelation 3:20 (NKJV) as follows, respectively,:-

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

God loves us and knows everything about us-- our hope, aspirations, dreams, shortcomings, shame, and what-nots. But, hey, God is speaking to us through Jesus today. And, eventhough, Jesus has ascended to heaven and seated at God's right hand, He has not left us as orphans by sending the Holy Spirit to teach us and lead us in the way that we ought to proceed for His glory.

The crux of the matter is: What is our response to the voice of God? Will we come to Him when He says, "Come!" Will we go to all the worlds, when He says, "Go!"

There is no other way to be happy IN JESUS, but to Trust & Obey. After all, Almighty God Himself has this to say concerning His only begotten Son:-

Matthew 17:5 (NKJV)
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”

Mark 9:7 (NKJV)
And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”

Luke 9:35 (NKJV)
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”


As we raise our flutes to greet the New Year 2013, let's toast it with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- Who is THE SUPREMO WHO'S WHO of our life.

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