"You can be sure of this: The LORD sets apart the godly for Himself. The LORD will answer when I call to Him."
Psalm 4:3
Not hearing from the Lord, as His child, is terribly deafening. If you've known this sort of eery silence, you'll likely agree. Since we're in a personal relationship, and because relationships require good communication, I'd like to give you a few tips for hearing God more.
1. Still Yourself Before Him
I know. My suggestion is a no-brainer. But who doesn't need a reminder in this fast paced world? If we constantly rush our personal time with God, His voice in our lives will often shrink. The more time we can give to sitting and soaking in God's presence will be for us a game-changer.
2. Beg Him To Speak
There’s no shame in outright begging God to speak to you. I’ve done it a kajillion times. So did the Psalmist David. It’s all over the book of Psalms. It’s His will to have an active relationship with you. Sometimes what He’s waiting for is to see if you’ll persevere in pursuing Him—so go ahead. Show up before Him. And beg your little heart out!
3. Immerse Yourself in Scripture
Take a fresh walk through the Gospels. Read through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Then keep going. The following book is the book of Acts. What you'll discover in the book of Acts is an up close and personal seat at watching the disciples live out their faith; a faith Jesus personally taught them and trained them to walk powerfully in. It's so fascinating! What happens while simply reading the Bible will surprise you. You'll hear God speaking to your heart afresh by applying His Word to your life. Keep a notebook handy so you can jot down what you're hearing.
4. Repent Often
Isaiah 59:2 says, "But your sinful acts have alienated you from your God; your sins have caused him to reject you and not listen to your prayers." Because sin separates us from the Lord's presence, we want to keep our relationship close by continuously walking in holiness through repentance. The God of grace will never leave us or forsake us, but He will surely turn a deaf ear to us if we persist in rebellious disobedience. That's why repentance is important. It keeps us affectionately close. Check your heart. Has God asked for obedience, and you've not obeyed?
5. Fast Social Media
Once again, I know. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Blogs, Pinterest and Periscope are fun. They're also addictive. With a plethora of noise going on, it's no wonder that we struggle to hear from God. It's okay to enjoy these outlets, but it's also okay to know when we need a break and to take it.
6. Fast, Period.
One way I tend to draw closer to the Lord is through fasting. I fast all sorts of things, like social media. Or I fast food. Sometimes just one meal. Other times I fast for an extended period. What I've discovered is this: fasting says, "Lord, I'm going to put boundaries on my flesh in this area because what I really want, deep down, is I want so much more of You."
7. Purpose To Praise Him
If negative thinking is your thing, shut it down through purposefully praising your Father. Sometimes we live too much in our heads to enjoy our Lord. Put on some praise and worship. Crank it up. Stand up on your feet. Then, praise Him. For His love! For His goodness! For His faithfulness! Keep on keeping on until you feel the oppression that's been dogging you lift.
