Heart Tracks - Hearing The Words, Missing The Voice

     Mid 20th century preacher and writer T. Austin-Sparks said that it was possible, indeed even common, for many to hear the words of Scripture, but not the Voice of the Spirit through them.  Paul spoke much of the Jews who regulalry read of the promised Messiah in their gatherings, yet consistently missed the Voice of the Messiah that was promised in those words and who had already come.  How like them are we, who week after week gather in our services, our prayer groups and Bible studies, and go over His Word, His promises, hearing the words, but being deaf to His Voice speaking through those words?  The words may take hold in our minds, but only His Voice can make them live in our hearts and lives.

    Larry Crabb tells the story of a friend who suffered a terrible fall, splintering bones in his arm and leg.  After several surgeries, he still had not regained use of the arm, and more, intensive surgery would likely be needed.  Even then, there was no guarantee he would ever have its full use again.  As he traveled down the elevator after that latest meeting with his Doctor, he heard the voice of the Spirit speak Romans 8:31 into his heart, "If God is for us, who can be against us."  These were not words to be memorized, or  a promise to be claimed, they were alive, and heard within the depths of this man's being.  As Crabb tells it, "In the midst of his suffering, he nearly sang.  He heard the music of heaven, the voice of God, and his passion for God leaped within him."  When God's voice speaks to us, we hear the music of heaven.  Such an encounter can only yield one result: Worship.  Is that our experience after our corporate or personal times with Him?  How often, at the close of a worship service or prayer group, do we immediately check our voicemails and text messages?  We've heard the words, but missed the Voice.  We've been in a gathering, but we've not had worship.
   Sheila Walsh tells the story of when she checked herself into a mental facility after a complete breakdown.  Huddled in a corner of her room, wearing only her hospital gown, a nurse, who she had not seen before, and would not see again, came to her and simply spoke, "Sheila, the Shepherd knows where you are."  She said that His voice, speaking through one she believed was an angel, enabled her to face her greatest nightmare, and know He was with her there, speaking to her.  She didn't just hear words, she heard His voice.

   What of you and I?  Are we, day after day, week after week, hearing the words, but missing the Voice?  Hearing what He says, but not what He means?  Are we doing the right things for all the wrong reasons?  Are we hearing the music of heaven, a music that enables us to face our own personal nightmares, and in them, triumph?  A music and Voice that crushes the darkness, and floods our lives and hearts with His light and His life?  What are we hearing, and what are we missing?

 

Blessings,

Pastor O