I Hear Voices

How many times have we gone in the wrong direction because we listened to something or one who sounded convincing but was filled with tainted information?

The spoken word released into the atmosphere has the power to persuade, direct and call into existence many aspects of life. It is important that we are careful not only of what we speak but also what we listen to. The things that we listen to get into our spirits and eventually will come across our lips.

Looking through scripture at Israel and their journey there is one lesson that we see occurred in almost every aspect of every segment, it was their propensity to listen to the wrong voices. God would answer their cries and show His sovereignty, and Israel would become complacent, finding themselves indulging in the habits of the lesser gods of the occupied land. Even Saul who was appointed king by God Himself lost his position of honor, disobeying God because he was afraid of what the people would say.

Then there’re those who held on tightly to God’s word in spite of all that went on around them like three men named Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. We’re probably more familiar with the names given them by King Nebuchadnezzar which were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three refused to bow before anyone but their God, The Great I Am, and were thrown into the fiery furnace which was made ten times hotter than it ever had been.

Two things about this story make my hear jump for joy every time I read or think about it. The first is the fact that God allowed Nebuchadnezzar himself to look inside the furnace and see the miracle of His faithfulness to Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So much so that Nebuchadnezzar was able to identify the fourth person who was in the furnace as looking like the Son of God! Now that’s amazing when you realize that Jesus had not come yet and Nebuchadnezzar worshiped a false god. This means the one true God had to remove the scales from his eyes on behalf of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who were the believers so that Nebuchadnezzar would know the true power of their God.

Then there’s the second half when God allows Nebuchadnezzar to call them out of the furnace so that he may examine them close up making sure that there was no mistaking His handy work! Nebuchadnezzar saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Praise the Lord!

Which voice will you listen to today?

Psalm 37:23 " The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord..."

We can’t respond to the Lord’s order if we're not listening to Him!

Go out and "Feed Some Sheep”