Yesterday morning I experienced once again one of the many blessings of living in the country—quiet. After living for thirteen years in an increasingly noisy area of town, I have not in the least bit grown tired of tranquil country living. Often times I find myself just stopping in the backyard or on the porch to listen to the stillness. How refreshing to my heart, my soul, my mind and my ears.
What made yesterday morning’s time extra special was the realization of quiet while spending time in communion with the Lord in prayer and Scripture reading. Our lives are too busy. Quiet fellowship with our Heavenly Father is so often bypassed for a quick read, noise in the background, and a few heartless prayer requests. Many have just a mere acquaintance with the still small voice of our Father. Truth is, God does not shout to get our attention. He wants to commune with us as we shut down all the racket around us and in our heart and give concentrated attention to His loving, forgiving, grace-filled voice. There is quiet rhythm in spending time in blessed fellowship with our God Who loves us as much as He loves His Son (John 15:9). As you read His Word, you stop after a verse or two and listen. Perhaps record in your journal what He speaks to you. Then you pray that truth back to Him in adoration, confession, and/or supplication. As you read the next verse or two, you repeat this process. May I be quick to add that this is not a cold, lifeless process, but one of sitting at the feet of our awesome, holy, omniscient, omnipresent, loving God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 16:13-16 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.
Notice the work of the Holy Spirit, first to the disciples for a specific purpose, and now to us as Christ’s disciples.
- The Holy Spirit leads us into full understanding of the Truth. He guides us along the way as He teaches us about Christ and His Word. He will teach you more and more as you grow in spiritual capacity and knowledge.
- The Holy Spirit’s main function is to magnify Christ. As Expositor’s Bible Commentary puts it, “The Spirit interprets and applies the character and teaching of Jesus to the disciples and by doing so makes him central to their thinking. He makes God a reality to people” (The Gospel of John, p. 158)
What did the Holy Spirit disclose to you this morning? Did you hear Him? Now, you don’t have to move to the country, but do try to find a quiet place. Moms, train your children to be quiet when you have your quiet time and . . . as they learn to have their own. Shhh, Someone is speaking to you.
From A Pastor's Heart 