Are you having trouble hearing God’s voice in your life right now? “For God does speak—now one way, now another—though no one perceives it.” Job 33:14

If we know about the goodness of God, then it is our job to be messengers. If we have experienced His goodness in our lives, it is not enough to just be witnesses. It is our calling to proclaim His goodness.

I think many of us would like to go through life with more confidence. We turn to self-help books, podcasts, or our own instincts to find help growing our confidence. While some of these can be good and helpful things, they don’t provide the ultimate answer. Scripture does.

Jonah wanted mercy for himself but not Nineveh. He let God’s mercy on the people of Nineveh inflict deep misery on him. He was refusing to let God be God. We can experience rebellion, resistance, and resentment all because it’s not how we think God should deal with someone who is a problem to us.

Sometimes when God calls us to do something, it’s tempting to wait to move forward with it until we can see how all of the pieces will come together. However, God calls us to trust Him.

They couldn’t deny the evidence of His power—because they thought they knew Him, because they were not expecting this display of power or authority from the one they knew, because He was not what/who they recognized or accepted.

Jesus stood on the beach and knew right where they were, what they were doing, and that they had no fish. When life is disrupted and we are disappointed, He sees, He cares, He has a plan.

Your reaction and response to God’s word depends on your position. What have you determined or decided about the Word of God?

Unthankful and ungrateful attitudes and words create unbelief and undermine the power and authority of God's Word in your life.

I also want to note here that the apostle’s prayer was not a request to remove the pressure or persecution. Their prayer was to be made bold under this pressure and to be made willing to speak the Word with courage, commitment, and conviction. This is the part of the followers of Jesus. 

It is an issue of stewardship. God has given me His favor in giving me Christ. How am I responding to this? Am I receiving the favor given?

Calvary’s climb was grueling and gruesome. It cost Jesus His life and why would I think it should not cost me?

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3 (NIV) 

Because God’s word never fails, I have been comforted. I call back and review His faithfulness which is constant. My history and the countless testimonies of others consoles me. It reminds me of Who He is.

He picked us out and started His work in us. He knows what He wants each one of us to become and what steps are necessary to conform us to His image.

“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

All I do know is where to go to feed my spirit and fan my faith. I turn to the only unchanging declaration of who God is and pick up the written word and remind myself that this is where God speaks personally to me. 

I pray someone reading this will hear the gentle whisper of the Holy Spirit reminding you of the most sincere and genuine words of devotion ever spoken. God’s heart is fully and completely committed to you. With Him you are never overlooked or unimportant

If you blew it today, confess it to Jesus. Ask him to forgive and cleanse you and fill you with his Spirit to start again.