THE POWER OF A WHISPER
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DON'T MISS THE SUPERNATURAL BY LOOKING FOR THE SPECTACULAR
By Denise L. Shaw
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
In the Old Testament not everyone who believed in God received the Holy Spirit. Primarily, it was the prophets, priests and kings who were anointed. Others received anointings for specific tasks, but even then, the Holy Spirit only came upon them.
As Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 14:17, He explained, "...the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive...ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you..."
This must have seemed like a strange idea to the disciples who were raised as Jews. They knew what it was to have the Holy Spirit with them. They had seen His manifestations before, but to have Him in them would have been an entirely different matter.
Sometimes, I don't think believers today realize the importance and privilege that we have in this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. He comes into us the moment we are born again.
When God placed the Holy Spirit within the spirit of man at the new birth, He was doing a new thing (see 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 43:19).
Even though we can learn from the Old Testament examples of the manifestations of God's Spirit, we cannot necessarily follow the patterns set forth therein. It is only in the New Testament that we see the Spirit of God actually coming into the heart (or spirit) of man to permanently dwell.
Often we hear believers stating things like, "Well such and such happened. I guess that means God wants me to do so and so..."
This type of thinking is dangerous.
To be led by circumstances is not God's best. Occasionally God will lead us in such a manner, especially when we're new to the things of God or just learning about following the ways of the Holy Spirit.
To be led from the inside is His best.
In considering these things, it is important to note that we have an "...adversary, the devil..." who "...as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He has access to our sensory perception or can interfere with the circumstances of our lives. If we allow ourselves to be led by circumstances or the five senses, it is possible to be led astray.
Whereas, if we are looking to the Holy One on the inside of us, following the inward direction He provides, we are less likely to be deceived.
Before we answer the question, "How can you be led by the Spirit of God?" let's look at a couple of Old Testament examples.
Gideon was a great man. The Angel of the Lord referred to him as a "mighty man of valor." However, when the Angel first approached him, he had not been anointed for service. In Judges 6:34 the Scripture says that the Spirit of God eventually came upon him. But, he had no means of being led by the Spirit within. The anointing was for the specific task that God had placed before him.
Therefore, God led Gideon through outward manifestations (see Judges 6:36-40). Gideon asked God to confirm what the Angel had said with a sign: - dew upon a fleece of wool but not upon the ground; and then, the next day - dew upon the ground, but not upon the fleece.
How often do we seek to be led by God in this manner?
"If it's really you, God, let such and such happen..."
It worked for Gideon, this is true, but Gideon was not born again. Gideon did not have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in his spirit.
The writer of the book of Hebrews states that the new covenant is a "...better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6). One of those promises is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We now have better ways of being led by God.
The most common methods the Holy Spirit uses to guide a New Testament believer are that of the inward witness (see Romans 8:16 & Hebrews 10:15-17) and the inward voice (also known as the still small voice).
We see a glimpse of the still small voice in the story of Elijah.
Even though Elijah was not born again, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit to stand in the office of a prophet. As with many Old Testament stories, his experience is given to us as a type or shadow of what was to come in the New Testament.
In 1 Kings chapter 18 we find the awesome account of Elijah's encounter with King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. On Mount Carmel, Elijah called and God answered by fire. Afterward, Elijah slew the 400 prophets of Baal, prayed an effectual fervent prayer for rain, (see James 5:7-8,16b-18) and then, outran the chariot of Ahab nearly 40 miles. It was an eventful day - a spectacular day in the life of an Old Testament prophet.
Chapter 19 paints a different picture. Ahab's wife, Queen Jezebel, didn't like what Elijah had done. One would think she would have been impressed with Elijah's "spirituality" (or power - God's power working through him), but it only served to make her angry - angry enough to call for Elijah's assassination. (It just goes to prove - not everyone will be happy with the spectacular manifestations of God.)
Elijah ran for his life. A journey that eventually took him across the desert to Horeb, the mountain of God. In the following verses we find our lesson for today:
1 Kings 19:9-12
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there...And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a STILL SMALL VOICE.
There, standing in the mouth of a cave, Elijah received the direction he needed - direction that basically sustained him throughout the remainder of his time on the earth. Once he completed all the Still Small Voice had spoken, he was taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire.
Wow! Elijah knew about the spectacular manifestations of God. However, when God wanted to direct him, it was in the still small voice that he found the guidance he needed.
How often do we look for the spectacular only to miss the supernatural leading of the Holy Spirit?
I have a dear friend who, for quite some time now, has sought hard after a close relationship with the Lord. She has worked diligently at developing her spiritual ears and learning to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Not long ago, she was awakened from a somewhat restless sleep. On the inside, she heard these words: "You need to begin praying for those in your family who will preach the end-time message."
At first she didn't understand, saying, "What, Lord?" The message was repeated, but she was so sleepy, she could hardly comprehend. Then, that same, still small voice said, "Write it down." So, in the darkness, she scribbled His words on paper.
When she awoke the next morning, what had happened seemed like a dream. However, she found the note she had written and it all came back to her and more.
She got so excited. She knew that if she had not been listening, she would have missed it - or perhaps dismissed it. The instruction she received was an important prayer assignment that she will more than likely be praying about the rest of her days.
Proverbs 20:27 says, "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly."
If a person is a believer, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in his (human) spirit. There is something to be said about going with your "gut" feeling. According to the Scripture, the spirit of man is located in the inter-most parts of his belly.
One minister likens the inward witness to a traffic light. He'll present a question to the Lord. If he gets a "red light" (that itchy, scratchy, uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach), then he stops right there. He takes that as a "no." However, if, when he presents a question to the Lord, he gets a "green light" (that smooth, velvety feeling on the inside), then, he will proceed with caution.
You may be asking, "How can I know this inward witness and that still small voice?"
Jesus said on numerous occasions in the book of Revelation, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying..."
God will talk to us. He wants us to know Him and His plans. However, it takes practice. It takes time to develop our spiritual ears.
Prayer is a vital key - specifically praying in the Spirit. Prayer is not supposed to be a one-sided conversation - we talk, He listens; but also - He talks, we listen. The more we practice listening to the Lord in prayer, the easier it is to be led by His Spirit in our everyday lives.
Another key in being led by the Spirit is to make sure we renew our minds to the Word of God. The Lord reveals Himself to us through His Word. The more we know of it, the more we know of Him - and the more of His thoughts become our own.
Let's not miss the supernatural leading of God by looking for the spectacular. Whispers can be as powerful and revealing as fire from heaven when they come from the Holy One on the inside.
Romans 8:14
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
In the Old Testament not everyone who believed in God received the Holy Spirit. Primarily, it was the prophets, priests and kings who were anointed. Others received anointings for specific tasks, but even then, the Holy Spirit only came upon them.
As Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 14:17, He explained, "...the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive...ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you..."
This must have seemed like a strange idea to the disciples who were raised as Jews. They knew what it was to have the Holy Spirit with them. They had seen His manifestations before, but to have Him in them would have been an entirely different matter.
Sometimes, I don't think believers today realize the importance and privilege that we have in this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit. He comes into us the moment we are born again.
When God placed the Holy Spirit within the spirit of man at the new birth, He was doing a new thing (see 2 Corinthians 5:17; Isaiah 43:19).
Even though we can learn from the Old Testament examples of the manifestations of God's Spirit, we cannot necessarily follow the patterns set forth therein. It is only in the New Testament that we see the Spirit of God actually coming into the heart (or spirit) of man to permanently dwell.
Often we hear believers stating things like, "Well such and such happened. I guess that means God wants me to do so and so..."
This type of thinking is dangerous.
To be led by circumstances is not God's best. Occasionally God will lead us in such a manner, especially when we're new to the things of God or just learning about following the ways of the Holy Spirit.
To be led from the inside is His best.
In considering these things, it is important to note that we have an "...adversary, the devil..." who "...as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He has access to our sensory perception or can interfere with the circumstances of our lives. If we allow ourselves to be led by circumstances or the five senses, it is possible to be led astray.
Whereas, if we are looking to the Holy One on the inside of us, following the inward direction He provides, we are less likely to be deceived.
Before we answer the question, "How can you be led by the Spirit of God?" let's look at a couple of Old Testament examples.
Gideon was a great man. The Angel of the Lord referred to him as a "mighty man of valor." However, when the Angel first approached him, he had not been anointed for service. In Judges 6:34 the Scripture says that the Spirit of God eventually came upon him. But, he had no means of being led by the Spirit within. The anointing was for the specific task that God had placed before him.
Therefore, God led Gideon through outward manifestations (see Judges 6:36-40). Gideon asked God to confirm what the Angel had said with a sign: - dew upon a fleece of wool but not upon the ground; and then, the next day - dew upon the ground, but not upon the fleece.
How often do we seek to be led by God in this manner?
"If it's really you, God, let such and such happen..."
It worked for Gideon, this is true, but Gideon was not born again. Gideon did not have the Holy Spirit of God dwelling in his spirit.
The writer of the book of Hebrews states that the new covenant is a "...better covenant, which was established upon better promises" (Hebrews 8:6). One of those promises is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. We now have better ways of being led by God.
The most common methods the Holy Spirit uses to guide a New Testament believer are that of the inward witness (see Romans 8:16 & Hebrews 10:15-17) and the inward voice (also known as the still small voice).
We see a glimpse of the still small voice in the story of Elijah.
Even though Elijah was not born again, he was anointed by the Holy Spirit to stand in the office of a prophet. As with many Old Testament stories, his experience is given to us as a type or shadow of what was to come in the New Testament.
In 1 Kings chapter 18 we find the awesome account of Elijah's encounter with King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. On Mount Carmel, Elijah called and God answered by fire. Afterward, Elijah slew the 400 prophets of Baal, prayed an effectual fervent prayer for rain, (see James 5:7-8,16b-18) and then, outran the chariot of Ahab nearly 40 miles. It was an eventful day - a spectacular day in the life of an Old Testament prophet.
Chapter 19 paints a different picture. Ahab's wife, Queen Jezebel, didn't like what Elijah had done. One would think she would have been impressed with Elijah's "spirituality" (or power - God's power working through him), but it only served to make her angry - angry enough to call for Elijah's assassination. (It just goes to prove - not everyone will be happy with the spectacular manifestations of God.)
Elijah ran for his life. A journey that eventually took him across the desert to Horeb, the mountain of God. In the following verses we find our lesson for today:
1 Kings 19:9-12
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there...And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a STILL SMALL VOICE.
There, standing in the mouth of a cave, Elijah received the direction he needed - direction that basically sustained him throughout the remainder of his time on the earth. Once he completed all the Still Small Voice had spoken, he was taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire.
Wow! Elijah knew about the spectacular manifestations of God. However, when God wanted to direct him, it was in the still small voice that he found the guidance he needed.
How often do we look for the spectacular only to miss the supernatural leading of the Holy Spirit?
I have a dear friend who, for quite some time now, has sought hard after a close relationship with the Lord. She has worked diligently at developing her spiritual ears and learning to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Not long ago, she was awakened from a somewhat restless sleep. On the inside, she heard these words: "You need to begin praying for those in your family who will preach the end-time message."
At first she didn't understand, saying, "What, Lord?" The message was repeated, but she was so sleepy, she could hardly comprehend. Then, that same, still small voice said, "Write it down." So, in the darkness, she scribbled His words on paper.
When she awoke the next morning, what had happened seemed like a dream. However, she found the note she had written and it all came back to her and more.
She got so excited. She knew that if she had not been listening, she would have missed it - or perhaps dismissed it. The instruction she received was an important prayer assignment that she will more than likely be praying about the rest of her days.
Proverbs 20:27 says, "The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly."
If a person is a believer, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in his (human) spirit. There is something to be said about going with your "gut" feeling. According to the Scripture, the spirit of man is located in the inter-most parts of his belly.
One minister likens the inward witness to a traffic light. He'll present a question to the Lord. If he gets a "red light" (that itchy, scratchy, uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach), then he stops right there. He takes that as a "no." However, if, when he presents a question to the Lord, he gets a "green light" (that smooth, velvety feeling on the inside), then, he will proceed with caution.
You may be asking, "How can I know this inward witness and that still small voice?"
Jesus said on numerous occasions in the book of Revelation, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying..."
God will talk to us. He wants us to know Him and His plans. However, it takes practice. It takes time to develop our spiritual ears.
Prayer is a vital key - specifically praying in the Spirit. Prayer is not supposed to be a one-sided conversation - we talk, He listens; but also - He talks, we listen. The more we practice listening to the Lord in prayer, the easier it is to be led by His Spirit in our everyday lives.
Another key in being led by the Spirit is to make sure we renew our minds to the Word of God. The Lord reveals Himself to us through His Word. The more we know of it, the more we know of Him - and the more of His thoughts become our own.
Let's not miss the supernatural leading of God by looking for the spectacular. Whispers can be as powerful and revealing as fire from heaven when they come from the Holy One on the inside.
Summer 2003