The word of the Lord was precious in the days of Eli because there was no open vision. In other words a word from the Lord was scarce. In stark contrast it seems that we live in a day where everyone hears a word from the Lord. We are taught to listen to the voice of God. Heed to the unction’s that we feel from God and obey Him. After all when we are filled with the baptism of the Holy Ghost we have the Almighty God of Creation living on the inside of us. Therefore, a word from Him ought to be frequent.
I feel as if we struggle in this area of hearing from the Lord. Especially when it comes to putting the tag, “I heard from God”, on everything that we want to do. After all if we say God told me then who can contest it? As a Pastor when I hear someone say God told me I get a little nervous because if that person is not in perfect submission then there is no way to reason with them. While I believe that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23) we have to understand that God never intended for a man to be an Island all to Himself. In Matthew 18:16 and II Corinthians 13:1 the Bible declares, let every word be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses.
In Acts 15 when a question concerning doctrine arose and Paul and Barnabas went for direction from the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem. There was varying opinions on the subject but once the Apostles and Elders had ruled on the matter it was final and all parties accepted it. They had confidence in the men of God that the Lord had placed in their lives. Hebrews 13:17 declares, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. The Lord gave Pastors to shepherd the flock, His body the church. Most people like this principle until the Pastor gives a word that is contradictory with what they are feeling or desiring.
The scripture said to obey and submit. To submit is to continue to follow even when you don’t agree. Having confidence in the man of God the Lord has placed in your life that he is praying and fasting and hearing from God. When God speaks to you the word will be confirmed in the mouth of two or three witnesses and God will not withhold that word from the Shepherd He has placed in your life. In this day where a word from the Lord is in abundance let us be sure that we filter what we feel we have heard or felt from God through the channels that God has set in place.
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