Acts 18:9-10 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

What an encouraging vision! God speaks to us in all sorts of ways, and the more tuned to Him we are, the better we can recognize them. However, we need to be on our guard, because the devil is also trying to speak to us. Everything God says is going to agree with what He has already said, because as He said to Malachi, “I the Lord do not change.” (Malachi 3:6) This particular vision to Paul is an echo of Psalm 91, for example. We need to be taking in His Word regularly and in quantity, meditating on it and allowing it to seep into the depths of our being, because then we will be secure against any attack. We need to be familiar enough with the Bible that any time we hear something, from whatever source, we will know immediately whether it agrees with the Bible or not. None of us have that down perfectly, so we need to be like the Bereans who came up in the reading two days ago, searching the Scriptures to see if what we are hearing is from the Lord. (Acts 17:11) God knows what we need to hear when, and He is perfectly faithful to speak to us. Sometimes His “speaking schedule” isn’t what we would like, because we tend to want to know things NOW, but He knows what will cause us to grow in faith and obedience, and we have every reason to trust Him completely.

I will never forget the first time I heard the Lord speak to me in what seemed like an audible voice (though I don’t think someone with me would have heard anything). I was praying while I drove, which I do frequently. I don’t remember the particular issue I was concerned about, but I was praying pretty much non-stop, saying, “Lord, guide me! Lord, speak to me.” When I paused for breath, I heard with utmost clarity, “Well then, shut up.” I was caught totally off guard, but I did shut up, and almost immediately started laughing at my own foolishness. To hear God I’ve got to be listening, not rattling! I do tend to talk a lot, and I’ve had to work on my listening skills over the years. I was deeply touched and grateful when one of my daughters told me that she always felt she could say anything to me and I would listen, but I was also quite surprised that she would say that, because I haven’t felt like I was a very good listener. God can indeed do far more that we expect or realize! I do desire to be a good listener, first to God and also to people, and God is working on that, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the many ways You have changed me over the years, and that You aren’t through with me yet. Right now I need to hear what You want said to the congregation here on Sunday, but I don’t want to limit my listening to “professional” topics. Help me hear You so that I will be obedient to You in every detail, accomplishing Your will on Your schedule for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!