Memorise:
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear
heavy, that it cannot hear.
Isaiah 59:1
Read: Isaiah 59:1-3
59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not
shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins
have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
59:3 For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity;
your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness.
Message
Some
seventeen years ago, I preached a message titled: “When God Is Silent”. In that
message, I said that when people think God is silent, He is actually speaking
but they are not listening. God also seems to be silent when people don’t want
to accept what He has to say. God seems to be silent when people have made up
their minds on the kind of response they expect to get from Him without which
they would not listen to Him. God is silent when a covenant with Him has been
broken as it was with King Saul. Saul wanted to hear from an agent with
familiar spirits and also from God. God goes silent when He sees that He is not
the only counsellor or source of guidance you have. If you have prayed to know
God’s mind on certain issues and it seems God is silent, turn a searchlight on
yourself. When your desire stands between you and God, it may appear God is
silent. His apparent silence is actually speaking to you that there is
something you have to give up. When God is silent, there may be an idol in your
heart as stated in Ezekiel 14:3:
“Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the
stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at
all by them?”
When
God is silent, sin may have created a barrier between you and Him according to
our Bible reading of today. When God is silent, your request may be borne out
of a wrong motive (James 4:3). We need to bring down the glory of God for our
prayers to be answered. The descent of God’s glory brings deliverance because
the Lord of the glory is strong and mighty in battle; the Lord of hosts is His
name. When I was a lecturer at the University of Lagos, there was a student who
urinated in the examination hall. The invigilator was embarrassed and decided
to rush the boy to the campus clinic, but the boy objected and asked for his
pastor to be sent for. My office phone rang and the caller briefed me on what
had happened. Quickly, I got to the place and commanded the demon oppressing
him to lose his hold on him in Jesus’ Name. God answered immediately and he was
set free. He went to change his clothes, returned to the examination hall and
finished before everybody else. The shortest way of calling God’s attention
when it seems He is silent is through intense praise. God dwells in the praises
of His people. God’s glory announces His Person and presence; it is a
revelation of His power and awesomeness. No enemy can stand His glory. Call on
Him today, listen to what He has to say and praise Him intensely.
Action Point:
Think over what God has spoken to you about and see whether you have ignored
some. If you have, make restitution and you will hear Him clearly for a sense
of direction.
BIBLE IN A YEAR:
Acts 18:18-20:16 & Acts 19
AUTHOR:
Pastor E.A. Adeboye
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