The Power of Solitude: Hearing the Voice of Godਨਮੂਨਾ

Day 4 - Logic and Selective Hearing.

What we choose to hear sometimes gets in the way of what God is saying. We sometimes practice selective hearing once our mind is made up, and consequently, we become more receptive to information that only validates or confirms our views. Hearing from God requires open-mindedness and flexibility. "It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows." Epictetus

Hearing from God becomes difficult when we attempt to fit His word into our logical and intellectual frame; this often ends in frustration and delayed obedience. Spirituality is not against reasoning, but the ways of God are higher than our ways. There are times when God's instructions won't make sense to us; they will defy logic and reasoning. The goal is not to understand but to obey.

God sometimes starts where logic ends. It defies logic that Sarah would conceive a child at 90 years old. It defies logic that God would tell Abram to sacrifice his only son. There are many supernatural events in the Bible and around us that we simply can't rationalize.

1 Cor. 1:27 AMP "But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]."

Hearing the voice of God requires a level of spiritual maturity and a cordial relationship with God. When God called the Young prophet Samuel, he did not recognize his voice. Thrice, he ran to Prophet Eli, who had to tell him, when next you hear the voice, respond by saying, speak Lord; for your servant is hearing. While God may not call out our name vocally as he did with Samuel, it's still possible to not fully recognize when God speaks. We sometimes have dreams and trances that we don't understand what they mean without the help of a pastor or our spiritual leaders.

When you hear from God, pray to clarify what you've heard. And if need be, ask God for a sign, just as Gideon did. Don't always try to make sense of God's instruction, but always act in faith. Study your Bible and pray daily; the more you do this, the more you understand and recognize when he speaks.