Our Communicating God
Written by Pat Klein
Psalm 18:1-19 is a dramatic description of God rescuing King David, who was in deep distress. “I prayed to my God for help… my cry to him reached his ears.”
Throughout the Bible, and in our own lives, we can remember when God heard and answered us when we prayed to him in our distress.
Our God listens to our prayers - a constantly amazing truth!
His responses can include rescue, and they can include direction for a particular circumstance. We have general guidelines - like a procedure manual. But sometimes very specific guidance. Think of Moses at the Red Sea (“stretch your rod”), Joshua at the Jordan (“have the priests step into the water”), and Paul at Mysia (“no, don’t go north, instead go west”).
God’s direction comes from various sources: His quiet voice in our hearts, Scripture, and more. Once for me, that direction came after reading a morning devotional to my then bed-ridden husband. It was a story about a Christian on the autism spectrum. He described the difficulties he repeatedly faced serving in his local church. An interesting story.1
But in the following hours, the Holy Spirit took my thoughts further…
Sometimes we deal with team members who aren’t ‘fitting in’. We’re used to a common way of working, of doing ministry. Then, along comes someone who is ‘different’. It may be cultural, or generational, or for some reason we can’t figure out. But the bottom line is, it’s an ongoing challenge for us to work together. So, it becomes a prayer point.
The Holy Spirit guided me to remember that Jesus commanded his followers, “Love one another”. Paul compares a local group of believers to a physical body. Different parts have different characteristics, yet, directed by the brain (i.e. Christ), they can function well together. I realized that God was guiding me in my particular situation. The first thing He did was change my heart (what a surprise!), adjusting my assumptions about those who are ‘different’. And then, with my more open heart, further guidance came.
The situation is still continuing, but on a better foundation now. I see some progress. Creative possibilities come to mind. There’s hope, where before there was only frustration.
All this was the Holy Spirit communicating to me, and me listening to Him. Friends, as we do our best to lead in the giftings God has given us, let’s humbly pray for guidance, and then, in faith, “incline our ear” or listen for His leading. He may send his answer in a still small voice as we wait before him, or in a devotional we read with our family, or in some other way.
How wonderful!
1.Our Daily Bread April 24, 2024
