Simple Instruction

Have you ever asked the Lord to teach you to recognise when He speaks and to give you the courage to obey? We have many voices that we listen to – parents, friends, TV and radio, roadside adverts, newspapers, our own thoughts and fears. We need to know when God is speaking. Let me share something that happened to me when I was just a new Christian:-
I suddenly awoke, as had happened many times before, with my heart beating rapidly, my body damp with perspiration, panic gripping me. I got out of bed and started walking up and down, up and down, my mind confused with anxiety that seemed to have no connection to anything.

I said 'oh Father God please help me; I don't understand; I don't know what to do'. In desperation I thought ‘my Bible, maybe I can find a scripture to calm me down' and, forcing myself to stop pacing around the room, I got back into bed and started to read any comforting scripture I could find. There was no specific scripture that stood out to me, just the Word, ‘active and living’, having its effect, calming me down sufficiently so I could begin 'to hear'.

Then God seemed to speak into my thoughts: ‘Lie down on your right side'. It was a simple instruction and for some reason I objected saying, 'but I don't sleep on my right side'. The calm instruction came again ‘Lie down on your right side'. I felt embarrassed thinking ‘can He really see me?' and 'what if this is just my imagination?' but I decided to do what I was told and as I lay down something extraordinary happened. I saw a huge, feathered wing and felt it cover me. It wasn't frightening. I began to feel incredibly safe. Everything in me calmed to a comfortable stillness and I drifted into a good sleep.'

I was a new disciple when this took place and didn't know about Psalm 91:4 until I read it a few days later: ‘He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler’. I was beginning to learn that He hears when we cry out to Him and to be obedient to His simple instruction is good.

We tend to argue with the voice of God or dismiss the ways He communicates with us too easily. Let us be more open to His promptings and practise listening to Him. He knows what we really need and is so willing to give us His help. We will know this if we listen and simply do as He asks. What He asks will always accord with His Word, His ways, and His character. He is a God who confirms His Word. We can ask Him to teach us how to hear and obey.

Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, thank You that You really are with us all the time to be our helper, and You know exactly what we need and when we need it. Teach us to recognise Your voice and the different ways You communicate with us so we become more aware of You. Give us the courage to obey and teach us that simple obedience to what You ask allows us to experience the truth of Your wonderful promises. Amen.