Book 3 of Musings Forcing God To Speak

God does not like to be forced to speak.

Pray and commit your way to the Lord. Then take a small step in the direction you think you should go, and watch to see if God is blessing. God cannot steer you, ordinarily, until you make and decision and begin to move.

Sometimes I find myself dealing with zealous young people. They think they should go into a closet, shut the door, and fast and pray until they hear from the Lord.

I advise them not to do that. I tell them to get a job, or go to college, or find something to do that is profitable. God does not like to be forced to speak.

On one occasion I counseled an adult, a man who was spending eight hours a day studying the Bible, to limit himself to one hour and get a job. He really was not hearing from the Lord. He rejected my advice.

There are people to whom God speaks in words. There are others that do not hear from the Lord like this, although sometimes they wish they did.

Let us be very clear that the one is not more spiritual than the other.

The Lord told us if we would acknowledge Him in all our ways He would guide us. We don't have to have Him speak, necessarily.

You know, you can't steer a boat when it is at anchor. You have to sail away from the shore before the rudder works.

My advice to people usually is, when you think the Lord wants you to go in a certain direction, or when you just want to go in a certain direction, take one small step toward your objective. Then pray, pray, pray. Watch carefully the results of your one small step. Ordinarily you can tell if God is blessing or if you are forcing your way.

Don't make irrevocable decisions until you have to. Don't burn your bridges behind you. I realize there is a temptation to do this. But sometimes what we were positive was the Lord's will proved otherwise. Then we are glad if we did not cut off our retreat. Keep as many options open as possible. Just one small step after the other, praying; praying; praying.

If you are presenting your body a living sacrifice, carrying your personal cross faithfully, and praying carefully over every step, you most likely will end up where you are supposed to be.

When you have a terrific, burning desire to do something, that usually is not the Lord. God moves when you have quieted down. We may enjoy passionate excitement, roaring enthusiasm, but God doesn't. His is the quiet voice.

"God said this!" "God told me that!" There are a lot of voices speaking today, and, as far as I can tell, most or none of them are of the Lord. God does not jabber away but is sparing with His words. But when God does speak, the rooster crows!

The Christian life can be quite boring. We are being drawn on God's bow. We would love to hear His voice. But we can't force Him to speak and shouldn't try to force Him to speak. Trying to force God to speak is one sure way to have the demons talk to you.

Be at peace. If you love God and want to do His will, He will guide you. He didn't say "in all God's ways acknowledge Him." The Bible says "in all your ways acknowledge Him." In all your ways. You go about your ordinary business, looking to Jesus constantly. When you get out of His will, He is well able to let you know about it, but not necessarily by speaking to you in a voice. Most likely it will be through circumstances.

God loves us and is more anxious than we that we walk in His paths. Our place is one of continually acknowledging the Lord. His place is to guide us with His eye.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)