“…and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him.” Matthew 17:5
Dear Ones:
If ever there was an event in the life of the disciples that would provoke a reaction, it was that which occurred on what is called, “the mount of transfiguration. ” There, Jesus was transfigured before them. They would also see, and perceive, the identity of Moses and Elijah, who talked with Jesus. That which was perhaps the greatest “unveiling” of the glory of God in this vision, was Jesus being transfigured before them. “…His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” (Matt. 17:2) Overwhelmed by the sight, Peter, being the most outspoken of the disciples, proposed the making of three booths, or tents, one for the Lord Jesus, and one each for Moses and Elijah. In contrast with Peter’s idea, God the Father brings before the disciples that which must be the right reaction to the revelation of God. With a cloud overshadowing them, the disciples heard a voice which said: “Hear ye Him.” God did not condemn, or even correct Peter, with regard to his idea. However, He did make very clear that which is of most importance, the very words of Christ. Standing before the disciples is the incarnate word of eternal truth, the very representative of God on earth, and the essence of the Father, for the Father dwells in Him by the Spirit. The great issue is that of hearing what God, in Christ, would say. All else falls away in comparison.
When Habakkuk had his vision of the coming invasion by the Chaldeans, he appealed to God by praying: “Art Thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One?” (1:12) He continues by saying, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, an canst not look on iniquity.” (v.13) Habakkuk knew God, and honestly used that knowledge in approaching God in prayer concerning the issues at hand, especially that of the coming invasion, and what that would mean. His vision would lead him in heart and mind to the same place where God sought to bring the disciples many years later on the Mount of Transfiguration. It is to the place of receptivity to the spoken, and revealed, word of God. So, Habakkuk declares: “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what He (God) will say to me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.” (2:1) Here is a man who desires, and wills, to hear what God has to say. He is certain that God will answer him, and this God did.
When young Samuel was ministering before the Lord, even though he did not know the Lord, God spoke to him. Eli the priest, upon learning that the Lord was speaking to him, instructed Samuel to say: “Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.” (1 Sam. 3:9) When the Lord came again and stood by Samuel, calling his name, Samuel responded with the same attitude that Habakkuk and the disciples were called upon to have, one of hearing the word of the Lord, the words of Christ.
In John’s book of the Revelation, he writes a letter to be sent to the church at Laodicea. In that Letter, the Lord addresses the church, and every member in it, by saying: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” (3:20) What is this knocking of which He speaks? It is that awareness, conviction, attraction, or revelation that God gives by the Spirit in circumstance, or just to the heart and mind, that He IS speaking, desiring access to the heart. Why? It is simply because He has something to say of eternal worth and power. He then says, “If any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with Me.” God speaks to get the attention of the believer, but His objective is to bring the believer into true fellowship with Himself. To do so is to truly live.
Dear Father, Speak to our quiet hearts, making us listen. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad