Recently I was talking with a young man who was a little under the influence. Let’s just say he had more than a passing acquaintance with marijuana and was flying pretty high! One of the side effects of his condition was a tendency to talk very quietly, almost in a whisper. Even with my hearing aids in I could barely hear him. It was very frustrating!
Later, while talking with some friends, I noticed their voices were somewhat muffled also, which seemed strange. That’s when I realized my hearing aid batteries were dead, leaving me even more deaf than I usually am! It hadn’t been the kid’s fault I couldn’t hear him. Without any power my hearing aids were worthless.
Sometimes I get frustrated trying to hear God’s “still small voice” when I read His Word. This Book, which is supposed to be “a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105), becomes just another ancient text, with no real meaning for my everyday life. Desperately I search it’s pages, but, no matter how hard I try, I can’t hear God speak. It’s very frustrating!
The problem is I’ve failed to connect to the Power. John 14:26 says, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things….” Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance my Bible is of no more use to me then my hearing aids with dead batteries. It is only through the Holy Spirit’s power I am able to hear God speak to me through His Word.
God promises in Luke 11:13 to give the Holy Spirit to all who ask. This morning, before you open His Word, make sure to connect to the Power. Ask God for the Spirit’s guidance, then prepare to be amazed! Suddenly Scripture will come alive and God will “tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” (Jeremiah 33:3). No longer will you be deaf to God’s message in its pages. Instead, as you read, you “…will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:21).
This Sabbath remember – Stay Connected to the Power.