When He Speaks

Good Morning,

Habakkuk 2:1-2 (NIV)
I will stand at my watch
and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me,
and what answer I am to give to this complaint.
Then the LORD replied:
"Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it.

I don't believe that these verses are aimed at ONLY the prophet Habakkuk for him to listen, to write down, and to pass along to all generations. I believe that these words apply to you and I, as well.

Now, we may not have a "rampart" to station ourselves on, I know, but we SHOULD have a place where we can be that will be conducive to hearing from God. We don't write down the revelations we hear from God on "tablets," as did Habakkuk, but we have paper, pens, and if you're reading this, then a computer with a word processor. Again, something we don't have is a "herald" to take the revelations from God that we have written down and take those words to God's people. However, we have a mail system (yes, I mean that one with paper and envelopes and stamps and such), and we have the swiftest "herald" ever in the Internet with e-mail, blogs, and so many other ways to send along what we have heard from God.

God speaks to all of us and that, I think, is the most important point in what we read today. What we have to do is to listen. We have to make ourselves available to Him so His words can penetrate our minds and hearts and souls. That is definitely the most meaningful thing that we can learn from these verses. I know, I know...there are many who will say that they don't hear from God or they don't hear His voice. To those I would suggest that, perhaps...just perhaps...it isn't God who isn't speaking, it may be them who aren't listening...or making themselves available TO listen. Something to think about. Something to ponder. Something to meditate upon. I believe that in those thoughts, ponderings, and meditations that the ear and heart will hear what God has to say.

Another extremely important thing that we are told today in these verses is that in addition to listening and hearing, we have to take the next step and write down what God tells us. Yes, it is marvelous to hear from God in whatever way He speaks to us. It's a wonderful thing to feel the presence of the Lord God of the universe as He imparts something into our hearts and minds. I cannot argue about that! However, there IS that next step that we read in Habakkuk. We have to pick up the pen or sit down at the computer and write down what God has said. Why is that so important? Quite simply because we will forget, and forget very quickly, what it is that God has told us. Something will come along to block that memory of the words and ideas that God has given us. I know. It happens to me. And I get so darned angry...with myself!...for failing in what I know I should do. Don't let it happen to you.

Finally we read something that is also of utmost importance today. Just as Habakkuk gave his writing to a herald to "run with it," we must also not keep many of God's revelations to us private and "close to the vest" so to speak. Remember, we...um, that would be you and I...are God's messengers and workers on this earth. We are how God get's His thoughts and ideas out to His people. You see, what He tells you He may never tell another soul. What God has given you in your quiet, private time with Him, can be...just might be...of utmost importance. So, it is our responsibility to send along to others what God has imparted to us. We all have the means to do this. There's no excuse not to. Now, of course, there are things that God tells us which ARE private and meant only for the individual God has spoken to. I know that and I respect that. But, there is also much that God gives to us which IS meant to be shared. He'll make it clear which is which...what is private and what He wants to be made public. Back to the first premise of this day...just listen.

Just as we are God's workmanship (Eph 2:10), we are also His workers. Let's learn from these verses of Scripture that we read today. We will all be the better for it.

Love, peace, and blessings,

David