“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 14:26
“Howebeit, when he, The Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear; that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
John 16:13
Each born again spirit filled believer has a built-in navigation system called “The Holy Spirit”. When we take time to pray and listen, The Lord will lead and guide us regarding everything we need that pertains to life and godliness. (see 2 Peter 1:3) However we must take time to develop hearing from and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.” 2 Timothy 3:1
It is so important that now more than ever, we allow the Holy Spirit to be our GPS. An airplane is equipped with instruments that allow it to navigate through dangerous weather that would obstruct the view of a pilot. If the pilot is flying through a storm, he must rely on his gauges on the airplane to help him navigate so that he ends up in the right place. Often pilots natural feelings lead them in the wrong direction. Without relying on the systems, they could literally end up flying upside down or even crashing the airplane. However, they are trained to forget their feelings about the directions when visibility is diminished and trust the instruments. Additionally, when a ship is navigating through a storm, if they do not rely on their sophisticated navigation systems, they could be taken completely off course and arrive at the wrong destination.
Likewise, in these perilous times it is important we allow our navigation system to guide us. We need to learn the leading of the Holy Spirit and the voice of God directing us. I’ve heard some say that they can’t hear God’s voice or that they aren’t sure if it is God talking to them or their own thoughts. The good news is that Jesus tells us that He is our Good Shephard, and we are His sheep. He goes onto say that He calls us by name, and we know His voice and the voice of a stranger we will not follow. (See John 10). This is a great confession to say over ourselves every day. Jesus Himself tells us clearly that we do know His voice. Who are we to say we don’t? Therefore, if you have been saying you can’t hear from God, the first thing you need to do is stop arguing with Jesus. Jesus does not lie. If He says we know His voice and follow Him, then we need to start agreeing with Him.
The second key is TIME. Have you ever noticed how a Mother can pick her child’s voice out of a crowd of children? The more time you spend with someone, the more familiar you become with their voice. If you hardly know someone and rarely take time to see them, then you likely might not be able to recognize their voice in a crowd. However, if you spend quality time with them every day, you can recognize their voice, even if you don’t see them talking. The more time you take spending in prayer, reading and hearing God’s Word, praying in the spirit, praying in the understanding and worshipping Him, the more you will recognize His voice. Most people do not hear an audible voice from God. However, it’s that inward witness they learn to recognize.
The third key is learning how to be still and focus in on the Lord. Take time to listen to what the Lord is telling you. Quiet yourself and listen to His leading. If you are full of worries or bitterness or any other distractions, it can act like static on the radio. The broadcaster is broadcasting, but he can’t be heard because of the static. Learn to get rid of that static. The Lord tells us that some of the static can be things such as: offense, unforgiveness, worry, cares of this world, deceitfulness of riches (which means chasing after earthly things instead of chasing after God and putting your trust in those earthly things instead of God), and doing things your way instead of God’s way (aka sin). (see Mathew 13:18-23 and Mathew 6:24-34).
The final key to hearing God clearly is obedience. When God gives you an instruction and you obey immediately, then it becomes much easier to hear and recognize His voice. However, if you disobey or ignore the instruction He gave, it can create “static” that makes it more difficult to discern His leading. Therefore, always be quick to obey His word. Just as we would like our children to obey us immediately and we know it will go much better for them if they obey us, so it is with God.
Yes, we are in the last days, and we can clearly see there are perilous times. However, God will lead and direct us and protect us! Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
1 John 5:4 says: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 1:2
It is God’s will for us to be healthy and prosperous and filled with joy. As we follow His leading and guiding, we will rise above all that is going on in the world and be a shining light to others of God’s goodness. We will draw others to Jesus through His goodness operating in our lives.
Further Reading: Isaiah 60, Mathew 13:18-23, Mathew 6:24-34, Psalm 32:8, Psalm 25,Psalm 35:27, Jeremiah 29:13, Romans 8:26, 1 Corinthians 14:15, John 10:10, Isaiah 55
