“I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” Psalm 16:7
E.M. Grimes wrote in a wonderful hymn the following: “Speak, Lord, in the stillness, While I wait on Thee; Hush’d my heart to listen in expectancy. Speak, O Blessed Master, In this quiet hour; Let me see Thy face, Lord, Feel Thy touch of power. For the words Thou speakest, They are life indeed; Living bread from heaven, Now my spirit feed!” That which Mr. Grimes is praying here should be used by all believers everywhere, for in these words is revealed a key to come to know, and recognize the quiet voice of God, the overtures of the Spirit, and His leading. We know from Scripture that the Great Shepherd calls his sheep by name, and leads them forth. What we fail to recognize, and truly believe, is that God speaks to us, specifically giving to us a knowledge of HIs ways, leading us into “paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” What are the great essentials to hearing and recognizing the voice of God?
The first is stillness, or quietness of circumstance and heart. Jesus often took His disciples aside, either by the sea, or into the mountains, there to speak to them clearly concerning the kingdom of God, God’s ways of salvation and fellowship with Him, and also, their calling. It is certainly true that the gospel writers and the Apostle Paul could only put down in writing the clear, concise words of Christ because they received them in the quietness. This is one reason why the Psalmist writes concerning being instructed by God in the night seasons. When Daniel was faced with death when there was no one to interpret a dream that Nebuchadnzzar had dreamed, he and his friends gave themselves to prayer. It was during the night that God revealed to him not only the interpretation of the dream, but the dream itself. To hear, and discern, clearly and concisely the word of God, the quietness of circumstances is almost a necessity. Sometimes when circumstances are all but calm, there is the necessity of quietness of heart, stillness, looking intently and expectantly to God for His word in the time of need.
The second great essential is aloneness. When Jesus calls a person to Himself, He calls them by name. His calling, though it be universal in scope, is individual in its application. Following Christ is an individual matter, although enhanced and blessed even more by the mutual fellowship of like-minded believers. The call to fellowship with Christ is a singular one, where the believer is called to know Christ, walk with and by Him, for His glory, and this in a singular way, an “aloneness” way. Again, this does not exclude the fellowship of other believers. However, the revelation to the heart that God gives by the Spirit is a very personal one, and the Lord alone knows what the believer needs to see and to know. Concerning prayer, Jesus taught that the individual believer is to come apart, close the door, and pray to his Father who is in heaven. The remarkable and wonderful promise associated given to the seeking heart is this: “…and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matt. 6:6) There is the certain, manifest blessing of God upon the one who seeks God in this manner.
Thirdly, there is the essential of expectation, based upon the mercy and grace of God when one comes God’s way. What is that way? The writer of the epistle to the Hebrews calls it, “…a new and living way.” (Heb. 10:20) That way into the holiest is by the blood of Jesus. It is that singular most precious provision of God for the believer to come with confidence before Him. It is because of Christ’s perfect sacrificial work, and His ministry of intercession, that the believer can come to God with great expectation.
Lastly, there is the willingness to be taught. Habakkuk was willing to be corrected. God richly blessed him.
Dear Father, Give us receiving hearts. In Jesus’ name, Amen.