Face Time with God
Opening Prayer
God of might and mercy, in Your love I’m found, in Your mercy I live, and in Your grace I’m saved.
Read Exodus 33:7-11
[7]
Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue; God’s voice is its most essential part. Listening to God’s voice is the secret of the assurance that he will listen to mine” (Andrew Murray, 1828-1917). God spoke and Moses listened. We too must listen carefully.
Today we have email and social media, but communication is no easier. With instant access to mounds of information, personal news and irrelevant ephemera, many are constantly connected through Wi-Fi and mobile phones. Moses’ problem was a little different, but he had the same need to spend time alone with God.
As evidence of Moses’ special relationship with God, and of the continuing defiling alienation of the people from God’s presence because of the golden calf, a simple tent outside the Israelite camp makes space for God and Moses to talk. What a staggering thought! There is no need for elaborate liturgy, dedicated priests or official processes. Moses puts up an ordinary “tent of meeting” (7; Num. 11:16-30). He enters into God’s presence, signified by the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire by night directly outside the tent. In Jewish tradition God can meet us anywhere and speak to us through any means: through a burning bush (3:1-6), a talking donkey (Num. 22:21-38), a refugee’s baby (Matt. 2:1-5), and an execution stake
(1 Cor. 1:17-19). We are the ones who do not know how to listen, or do not have time to hear what he would say to us. We may not need a particular place or time, but we do need a habit of spending time with God that is undisturbed, focused and determined.
How have you approached listening to God today? Joyce Huggett, in her book Listening to God, provides helpful ways to develop this spiritual discipline, especially in times of turmoil. These include these nine steps: physical relaxation and silence; becoming aware of God’s presence; surrendering to him in obedience; acceptance of ourselves as he sees us; repenting and receiving forgiveness; spending time in contemplation; receiving grace and expressing gratitude; listening to specific instructions; and moving to action. Can you find more time and space to meet with God?
Apply
If you can, find a half an hour to work through Joyce’s nine steps to listening to God. What else is he saying to you today?
Closing prayer
Listening Lord, I think of the steps for prayer outlined above. I much prefer talking to listening, so I will need Your grace to talk less and listen more.
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