Hearing God: The Holy Highlighter
Our God is a God who speaks! He spoke creation into being. He spoke through Jesus Christ. He continues to speak through His Word and His Spirit. He speaks to all and He speaks to individuals. He is speaking to you. Are you hearing Him?
As you are seeking to say YES to God, you are seeking to hear His voice. You are remembering that the larger mission of salvation is at the heart of all that He speaks. You are noticing the thoughts that don't go away and you are reading His word for illustrations and instructions regarding how He wants His people to live, but you are also trying to discern what He may be speaking to you specifically. How do I recognize when God is speaking directly to me through His Word?
One key to recognizing God speaking to you directly through His Word is to approach your reading time with an open heart. A brief prayer before you begin can set your heart in the right direction. As you read, look for what someone has called a "holy highlighter." It's as if God has pulled out a highlighter and said "Here! Make sure you pay attention to this verse!"
If a verse jumps off the page as you read, ask God to make clear what He might be saying to you and what He wants you to do with it.
In 2005, my two older kids were preparing to go on a mission trip to Slovakia. I was nervous. Not about their safety as much as how they might behave. Don't get me wrong. My kids were good kids, but honestly, no kids are perfectly mature, and I was concerned that their lack of maturity would show. Really? I guess I had unrealistic expectations for them, but God understood me and I prayed over the situation constantly. As I was doing my regular Bible reading one day I saw the "holy highlighter" on this verse. "All your children will be taught by the Lord and they will enjoy great peace." (Isaiah 54:13) It was as if God was saying to me, "Don't worry. I've got this." But I knew that He wasn't just speaking to me about the trip. He was encouraging me not to worry about my kids. He would take care of them and teach them His ways. God understood that my real concern for them was that they would know Him and honor Him. He used that trip and that verse to let me know that His concern for them is greater than mine and He will teach them all they need in order to lead them in His paths.
What concerns you at this moment? What questions do you have for God? Ask Him to speak to you through His Word. Let me encourage you to be in the Word regularly. When you are you are positioning yourself to hear from God as He speaks to you through His living Word.
Key thought: God wants to speak to me through His Word.
A Scripture to Consider:
"You are my portion, Lord; I have promised to obey your words." Psalm 119:57
A YES Challenge: If you are not regularly in God's Word, then ask someone you trust to hold you accountable and help you find a Bible reading plan. Be sure to begin your reading time with prayer and look for God's "holy highlighter"!
Prayer:
Father God, help me to recognize Your voice as I read Your Word. Holy Spirit, guide me into the truth God has spoken to all of humanity through the Word and help me discern what I need to apply in my life today. Lord, help me to honor You by obeying Your Word. Amen.