The following is a
rewritten chapter from Bittersweet Refinements.
If you would like to read the entire book, from start to finish and in
the proper order, please go [here].
Chapter XIII
Can You Hear Him Now?
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [Revelation 3:22 NAS]
Apart from some radical factions in the Christian community, it is generally assumed that everyone in Christ has been given an ear to hear, but that is about as far as it gets for most. For who wants to admit that they have never heard His voice [Isaiah 65:1-2], but even in cases where someone can be honest enough to admit that they have never actually heard our Heavenly Father’s speaking to them, how can they be so sure that they have not [John 5:37-40]?
No, it will probably not be a booming voice coming out of a storm that you will hear like Job did [Job 38:1]. Neither will it be like a whisper on the wind, as in the case of Elijah [1 Kings 19:12]. For it is mostly through our thoughts that our Heavenly Father likes to speak to us [John 14:16-17].
Nonetheless, this is not to deny that our Heavenly Father will sometimes speak to someone in an audible voice that is most definitely coming from outside of themselves [1 Samuel 3:4-10]. In fact, I have experienced this on a number of occasions, myself.
The first time I was made aware of hearing our Heavenly Father’s audible voice was when He said, “Introduce Me,” but it has been mostly just Him calling me by name since. For I have had many doubts about being pleasing in His sight [Exodus 33:17].
Furthermore, I have been allowed and enabled to also experience dreams that were vivid enough to be thought of as visions. For it was as if I was actually there [Genesis 28:10-19].
Yes, there is a difference between visions and dreams. For visions are experienced while awake [Acts 10:9-16], but let us resist the temptation to get technical about things when it really does not really matter either way [1 Corinthians 3:3].
No, it should not be assumed that everyone has an ear to hear. For as it is with everything else about our Heavenly Father’s spiritual gifts, it all depends upon what He wants to accomplish in and through someone that determines when, and to what extent, they will be allowed and enabled to hear what He has to say [1 Corinthians 12:7-11].
On the other hand, are there not many references made about having a gut feeling about something? Perhaps you have had one yourself?
How about all that is said about one’s inner voice? Could it be that these are just borrowed lines from some ancient sonnet, or could it be that there really is something to it?
Scientific research has even been conducted upon the phenomenon of certain twins having a special bond between them, and are there not times when someone will have a thought about something at the very same time as another in their midst? Surely there is more than genetics and environmental influences to these things.
No, this is not to suggest that every thought and feeling that we may have is a message from God [1 John 4:1], but it would do us all well to not take too much for granted. For our Heavenly Father is much nearer to us all than what most would dare to even consider [Romans 10:8].
Utter nonsense? Perhaps, but if it is indeed true that we were all created to be His children by faith [John 1:12-13], why would He not want to have a great personal interest in every aspect of our daily lives [Proverbs 16:33]? After all, is this not what is naturally expected of our earthly parents, and are not our Heavenly Father’s ways much higher than theirs [Isaiah 55:8-9]?
No, it is not just in regards to what we would naturally consider as being spiritual matters that our Heavenly Father would seek to guide us. For even such supposedly trivial things as what we are going to eat and what we are going to wear are all part of His plan [Matthew 6:25-34].
Not buying it? Well, consider this: Casting the whole of your care—all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all—on Him; for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. [1 Peter 5:7 AMP]
No, you do not have to take “my” word for it [John 15:26]. For it is for such a purpose as this that our Heavenly Father’s Holy Scriptures were given [2 Timothy 3:16-17], but where have all the Bereans gone [Acts 17:11]?
Yes, the points and counter-points about this matter could make for quite a ping-pong match, and to be perfectly honest about it, I would not believe it myself if our Heavenly Father had not of made Himself real unto me. For I was raised to believe that all anyone ever needed was a good church where the Bible was preached without compromise [Romans 10:17], but then everything changed [2 Corinthians 5:17].
Alas, maybe I have spent too many hours alone. For it is naturally inconceivable unto most [1 Corinthians 2:6-16] that it was the Lord God Almighty who was singing to them (or at least having it sung) when songs like Styx’s [Fooling Yourself] would come on the radio during times of great trial and tribulation. The same also applies to many other songs, but on the other hand, it is written: For with God nothing shall be impossible. [Luke 1:37 KJV]
FOOLING YOURSELF
(THE ANGRY YOUNG MAN)
Styx
Relax
Take it easy
You see the world
Through your cynical eyes
You're a troubled young man
I can tell
You've got it all
In the palm of your hand
But your hand's wet with sweat
And your head needs a rest
And you're fooling yourself
If you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself
If you don't believe it
Why must you be
Such an angry young man
When your future looks quite bright
To me
How can there be
Such a sinister plan
That could hide such a lamb
Such a caring young man
You're fooling yourself
If you don't believe it
You're kidding yourself
If you don't believe it
Get up
Get up
Get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat
And you know it
Yeah
Come one
Come on
Let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot
And don't blow it
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
Oh
And you're fooling yourself
If you don't believe it
You're killing yourself
If you don't believe it
Get up
Get up
Get back on your feet
You're the one they can't beat
And you know it
Oh
Come on
Come on
Let's see what you've got
Just take your best shot
And don't blow it
Whoa whoa whoa whoa
Oh oh oh
Oh oh oh
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