WATCHWORD:
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. I Kings 19:11-13
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings, too deep for words. Romans 8:26
10 The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” Then Samuel said, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
Meditation:
Calm Yourself
In frustration, I stood up from my desk and started to leave my little office, to pack my bag in anticipation of my trip to Illinois. It was getting late and I had to leave soon. This Watchword meditation had not been written and I did not know what I would do. I took about three steps, when God spoke to me and brought me back to my Mac. In essence, I heard Him say “My peace is sufficient, calm yourself and write what comes to mind.”
So, I sat and nothing came to my mind. I struggled and struggled with the meditation. There are times when I wish I had a background in theology, maybe that would help, but, mostly, I wish I had a more consistent creative spirit. I think there are times when I count too much on the spur of the moment inspiration from God and just sit down and put words together. There are times I feel like I’m tricking the Almighty, but how can that be?
I calmed myself, and still nothing. I tried to cheat a little even to the point of reading a children’s book written by my good friend, Paula Adams, to see if somewhere in those pages was a lead into something significant. Nothing. I looked through J.I .Packer’s book Knowing God, and wondered if here was a lead. No. I even took a furtive look through Bob Benson’s book Disciplines for the Inner Life thinking here I could grab one of their meditations and stick it in, at the last minute. But, no, is what that inner voice said to me.
I wonder if all of us go through this kind of a struggle, during those times when we huddle with the Almighty. For me it’s early in the morning, for you it might be midafternoon or evening. But, whenever it is, at that point, where you put aside the devotional that you were reading, and begin a conversation with God, not knowing where it will lead, that is when His peace will still you. That is when His whispered voice will speak. I think that is exactly what God wants from us when hectic times hit. Those times when he we are up against a deadline or on the edge of a situation where we have to respond, or we just feel depressed and alone.
I hope you can find something to take away from what is written here. Maybe you can relate to things in your life that distract you from your relationship with God. I think that is when He would like us to calm ourselves, close our eyes, slow our breathing, relax and know that He is God, and we are His.
Well, that is what God placed on my heart today. Amen.
Closing Prayer:
Father, in the Name of Jesus, I thank You that You desire to speak to me every day—guiding me in spirit and in truth to obey Your Word and enjoy an abundant life. I thank You that You have called me Your friend and that I may come boldly to the throne of grace to find help whenever I have a need in my life. Lord, Your Word says that when we draw near to You, You will draw near to us. So, I draw near to You today. I seek Your face, Your truth and Your word for my life. I want to know You more, hear You more and obey You more. Your Word says Your sheep know Your voice and we will not follow the voice of a stranger. Help me to know Your voice and not be deceived by any other voice. Help me to guard my heart from the influences of this world and the people around me. Help me not to be deceived by the devil and his lies, but to view all thoughts and decisions through the lens of righteousness. As I seek to hear You today for instruction, correction and guidance, help me to confirm Your voice through Your Word. You said if I ask for wisdom, You will give it to me liberally, so I am asking for wisdom in the Name of Jesus to hear You clearly and consistently today and every day. Help me to feel confident in knowing that I hear Your voice. I praise You and thank You for it, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
