So many times, I have come to my devotions asking the Lord what He has for me for that day. There are times where He will drop a single Word in my heart. Words like FAITH, PEACE, LOVE, PRIDE, etc.
I will then take that Word and explore it. I will search my heart for evidence of the Word. Then, I will search the Scriptures on what God has to say about that Word. And sometimes, I will just start writing in my journal to see what the Holy Spirit may reveal to me.
I absolutely love when I hear God speak to me. And when I have the Holy Spirit reveal a truth to me, it is a blessing beyond measure.
Am I Getting the Silent Treatment?
However, there are other days that I sit with my journal open, and I hear nothing. I ask God what He wants to show me or have me study on, nothing.
I search my spirit for a word.
Nothing!
Times like that can be tough. It almost feels like I am getting the silent treatment. Although I know in my heart that I’m not, but it feels like it sometimes.
When I am getting silence, I look inward to my heart. I begin to ask some really tough questions. Questions that my flesh hates!
Is it me?
I will ask God if there is unconfessed sin in my life. If that could be the reason I am not hearing from him. (as I was writing those words, the Holy Spirit dropped a verse in my heart to back that up)
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
God wants us to confess our sins to Him. The Bible talks about how sin separates us from God. (Isaiah 59:2) Because God is a righteous God, He can not look upon us when we have sin in our lives. This is precisely why God sent Jesus to die for us. So that we have the Blood of Jesus to cover our sins. That Blood makes a Way for us to have a relationship with God.
So if I am not hearing from the Lord, it is up to me to make sure I have no unconfessed sin blocking my relationship with Him.
A Heart Check
The next question I ask God, once I make sure there is no unconfessed sin in my life, is “Do I have unforgiveness in my heart?”
For, if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; but, if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:14-15
Jesus is telling Christians that we need to forgive each other so that we can be forgiven. Even if the person who wronged you, does not ask for your forgiveness or never admits to any fault, you must still forgive.
It works the same way with judging a person.
For with the same judgment you judge, you shall be judged, and with the same measure you mete, it shall be measured to you. – Matthew 7:7
God gives to us as we give to others. I don’t know about you, but I for one need lots of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. I try to extend as much grace, mercy, and forgiveness to others because I know how much I want God to extend it to me!
Need to Read to Hear
Once I know that my heart is clean and there is no unforgiveness or unconfessed sin, I turn to the Word.
For the Word of God is living, and effectual, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to a dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. – Hebrews 4:12
When we open the Bible and read it, it is like having God speak directly to us. It is like having our own conversation with Him.
God WANTS to speak to each of us. He WANTS to have a profound relationship with us. The Scriptures say that He will draw near to us when we draw near to Him. (James 4:8)
We have our part to play in the relationship with God. Just like you can’t have a one-sided relationship with your spouse, your sibling, your children, friends, etc., you can’t have a one-sided relationship with God. You can not expect Him to do all the work and you have nothing to do with Him. He loves you and I so much and wants to have a relationship with us.
So, how do you hear from God?