This morning, I had the chance to walk on the River Trail beside the Brazos River through Cameron Park in Waco. As I read scripture and prayed, I listened for God to speak. It was a great time to listen as I prayed. In this wonderful season of prayer for Tallowood, I am trying to hear him clearly. Not only do I want to talk to the Lord, but I want to hear him speak to me. I heard nothing audible, but there was a deep and comforting sense that God is at work among us at Tallowood.
Israel desperately needed to hear from God, but when they heard his voice, they were terrified. So they asked Moses to be an intermediary to speak on behalf of God. “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Their fears reflected a powerful reverence in the presence of our awesome and holy God. Moses points out that God’s purpose in speaking is not to frighten us. On the other hand, living with holy fear facilitates holiness within us. If we could hear God’s powerful and loving voice clearly, we would not want to sin.
Have you ever spent a whole day in prayer? Lorne Sanny said a day spent in prayer should answer two important questions: first, “Who are you Lord?” And second, “What shall I do?” He derives the question from Saul’s conversion, after God met him on the road to Damascus with a dazzling light. Saul asked, “Who are you Lord?” and “What shall I do?”
Moses’ time with the Lord broached the same questions. Earlier he had asked for God’s name. Now he learns what God commands his people to do. Notice when God spoke, nobody patted him on the back and called him “the man upstairs” or “the big guy.” They were too frightened to lift their faces. The Psalmist said the voice of the Lord makes huge trees skip like calves. I am convinced that God is always speaking to his people. The communication issue is on our end. The noise we choose to allow in our lives makes it hard to hear his voice. Ask God who he is and what he wants you to do. Then wait for him to speak.
