Hearing from God
God is speaking through Isaiah in order that the stubborn children of God (Judah) come back to find delight in His will for their life. They were forming their own plan, an alliance with Egypt that showed a lack of trust in God. They were running to idols, looking for comfort and worldly security in things other than God. If we’re not careful to hear God’s will for our life, we’ll spend time in captivity like the Israelites who found themselves in captivity time and time again. Our captivity may be in the form of the bondage of sin.
“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘All right, then, have it your way.” CS Lewis
Ask His Will vv.18-20
Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
John 7:17 If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
What ways do we hear from God?
- Canon– God’s Word (The Bible)
- Conviction– The Holy Spirit
- Counsel– People of God speaking truth into your life
- Circumstances– Needs you have that only God can meet (closed doors, opened windows)
- Community– Many agree on a course of action
Acknowledge His Word vv.21
John 10:25-27 “Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
Two reasons we do not hear from God
- If you do not know Him.
- If you do not take time to listen.
Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”
Mark 1:35 “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.”
His will never contradicts His Word!
“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world” CS Lewis
Accomplish His Ways vv.22
Give up things that cloud your view of God or that compete for His affection. Fasting is simply withholding something and replacing it with a thirst and hunger to know God more, seek God clearer, and delight in His ways better!
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
So what’s the meat of this message? What’s the application?
Do you really want to know God’s will, do you really want to hear from Him? If you do, you’ll be transformed! You’ll transition from comfort to the cross because of the awe of His glory! You’ll rid yourself of those obstacles that are barriers between you and God, idols!