Day 11: God’s Word Is Our Guide

When God Speaks: How to Recognize God’s Voice and Respond in Obedience

In seeking God’s will, the Bible is your clearest and most unmistakable source.

And so we start week three, titled God Speaks Through The Bible. As I read through today’s study, I was once again confronted with the “doing” part of listening to the Holy Spirit. This time it was Psalm 50:23:

^50:23 Whoever presents a thank-offering honors me.To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”

That message keeps coming up. During class yesterday, that is what I focused on as we discussed ways to prevent Godly people from succumbing to doing ungodly things. It isn’t about head knowledge, it’s about application! I must remember that.

I have to agree with Blackaby’s opening statement, reading the Bible is the clearest path to communication with God. Prayer and corporate worship can be easily corrupted but the Word of God is difficult to corrupt if you read it yourself. Sure, listening to what others say about it can lead to corruption and reading in isolation can also. But for clarity, nothing beats reading the Word yourself.

One of the impressions I got today from studying was that I need to read the Word first thing in the morning. Not study, I don’t think that would work for me because of the hour I rise and my general sluggishness in the mornings. But read. I think I’ll make certain that I do that daily and see what happens.

Another thing that stood out was one of the illustrations used based upon Malachi 2:16:

^2:16 “I hate divorce,” says the Lord God of Israel, “and the one who is guilty of violence,” says the Lord who rules over all. “Pay attention to your conscience, and do not be unfaithful.”

Obviously it caught my eye because of CH’s current predicament. We do such hurtful things to the ones we love and then wonder why that love wanes. Even so, the Lord hates divorce. So much pain, so much wasted energy, so much confusion. No wonder He hates it!

^{2 Timothy 3:14} But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, ¹⁵ and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, ¹⁷ so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.