Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:20-21
These verses aren’t my life verses…maybe they should be…
You see…
Most of my life I’ve been desperate for a word from God…
I’ve wanted to know His thoughts…
I want His input into my life…
I want to know His will…
Just being honest, I’ve probably spent more time wondering His will than I have obeying His will.
(I hope that doesn’t disappoint you…)
Sure, I know lots of His will I can obey everyday…right from the pages of His Word…
But, to know the will of the things not clearly outlined in Scripture…well…sometimes I’m left wondering…
I have learned this, however…
Many times God has to get my attention to get me to listen…
And then there’s…
Bread
Bread is pretty essential for survival. I’ve traveled lots of places…people love their bread. In San Francisco, they claim to have the best sour dough bread anywhere. Germany seemed to love their bread too. In Malta there was this bread of which I couldn’t get enough. Everywhere I’ve been, bread seems to be a staple. It’s a basic commodity.
Yet, God gives us the bread of adversity.
And then there’s…
Water
Everyone knows we can’t live long without water. There are whole ministries trying to provide water to people around the world, because people are dying without it. They say our city’s water has algae in it…or something like that…because of the heat. It’s supposedly safe to drink, but people are complaining. During my long training periods for running, when I start aching all over, I know I haven’t had enough water. Water is a critical commodity.
Yet, God gives us the water of affliction.
I don’t understand.
But, then the verse says, “your teachers will be hidden no more” …
“whether you turn to the right or to the left” …
“you ears will hear a voice behind you” …
“this is the way”…
That’s what I’m looking for, right?
Perhaps I’ve been looking at trials all the wrong way…
Perhaps trials bring me closer to the heart of God…
Perhaps a trial makes me desperate for my Creator…
Perhaps nothing like a trial produces in me a longing for God…
Perhaps God uses trials to show me His love…His provision…to teach and mold me…and to point me in the way I am to go…
Which is what I wanted in the first place…
I don’t know…just thinking…
What do you think?
I’ve written other thoughts on hearing the voice of God HERE.
GOD has spoke to me in many ways once in auduable voice confirmed in revelation through dreams through the word through the daily bread .but im still learning and get confused i can understand jeramiah and his pain job his frustration whats happening to me!
david anointed as king but living running from saul joseph 13 years in prison paul and his suffering and the viper that bit him on the hand
one thing ive realised is every thing can go the opposite way after GOD has spoken and this my friends is the hardest trial
then there is the question of false elders who dont go by the word of GOD but spin in church and make it look all good because they are loaded with money and have enery thing paul had nothing jesus had nothing when will we lay it all down
Thanks for your insight. I have been struggling with some financial issues with our ministry and find your commentaries very helpful. Please pray that we can continue if it is the will of the Lord.
Hello, I have recently been saved by the lord Jesus christ about a year and a half now. I enjoyed reading an honest post and a post that sheds light were it is the most needed. Well for me anyways. I always pray, but sometimes I’m not sure if I’m doing it whole heartedly or partial. I guess I say that because I know God says that if you seek Me earnestly you will find me or something of that nature.I do not know scripture very well but some things stick with me just can nevert get them 100 percent correct. I really do wish god would audibly speak to us like moses or John the Baptist.. I know I’m not worthy and I know I deserve hell as many times as I sinned willingly after I was saved. J kinda feel like Paul at times. I wish I knew what god really thought of me too and if I was doing as worse as I thought I was in his eyes. Maybe that would help or hurt me, but just wanted to let you know that your not alone. I hope and pray that you and the rest of of us seeking Christ can get a nudge or some type of tap on the shoulders when we are down or out to let our flesh know that he is with us and we are a.ok in his eyes. Thanks again and God bless.
I can relate totally. Someone above already mentioned the verses in James: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have it's prefect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Over the last two years God has shown me that the trials that I was undergoing were to first get my attention; which He finally did. Second, the trials that I am now undergoing are to strengthen that faith in Him and His provision. So I agree with all that's been said. But at the same time, I know that I am human and really like hear that voice behind me saying; "yes, this is the right way." And I don't think that shows a lack of Faith so much as a human need for encouragement that one is really doing what is expected and doing it well.
Consider it all joy…if that's our heart we'll accomplish much in faith!
Hello, I have recently been saved by the lord Jesus christ about a year and a half now. I enjoyed reading an honest post and a post that sheds light were it is the most needed. Well for me anyways. I always pray, but sometimes I’m not sure if I’m doing it whole heartedly or partial. I guess I say that because I know God says that if you seek Me earnestly you will find me or something of that nature.I do not know scripture very well but some things stick with me just can nevert get them 100 percent correct. I really do wish god would audibly speak to us like moses or John the Baptist.. I know I’m not worthy and I know I deserve hell as many times as I sinned willingly after I was saved. J kinda feel like Paul at times. I wish I knew what god really thought of me too and if I was doing as worse as I thought I was in his eyes. Maybe that would help or hurt me, but just wanted to let you know that your not alone. I hope and pray that you and the rest of of us seeking Christ can get a nudge or some type of tap on the shoulders when we are down or out to let our flesh know that he is with us and we are a.ok in his eyes. Thanks again and God bless.
Your words: "Just being honest, I’ve probably spent more time wondering His will than I have obeying His will" are nothing but pure plagiarism. They are mine and you have no right to steal them. (please note sarcasm). Yeah, been there, done that, still doing it. Desperately wanting to hear. Thanks for being human Ron. And no you didn't disappoint me. 🙂
Ha! Love it Bill. Glad to take your words from you! 🙂
Ron
Much agreement when you say… “Perhaps trials bring me closer to the heart of God…”
Maybe that is why we are to give thanks – for ALL things – in ALL things – through ALL things…
Hearing His Voice – A favorite topic. Ask and you shall receive.
Deuteronomy 4:36
Out of heaven he made thee to *hear His voice,*
that *He might instruct thee*…
Deuteronomy 5:24
… *we have heard His Voice* out of the midst of the fire:
we have seen this day that *God does talk with man,* and he liveth.
John 10:27
*My sheep* hear *My Voice,* and I know them, and they follow me:
John 18:37
… Every one that is of the truth *heareth My Voice.*
John 10:16
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall “hear My voice; “
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice 😉
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
Thanks Amos. We always align on Jesus! Love the verses!
Let's keep the main thing the main thing… and that is simply to "know Jesus". God will allow trials in our life to that end, why else? The first verses of james are quite clear that we are to persevere through trials… why? So we may be mature and complete. Then James go right into, "if any of you lacks wisdom". What kind of wisdom? The wisdom God is trying to teach us through the trial we were to persevere through. But He doesn't just tell us to sit back and wait for this wisdom, He tells us to ask for it. He also tells us to whole heartedly believe that we will receive it, otherwise we are double-minded and unstable in ALL our ways. It seems clear that we either ask for Gods wisdom with unwavering confidence or we are unstable. James sure doesn't mince words here. So let's be obedient and ask God for His wisdom before we have to travel the same trial road again to learn what God wants us to learn… AMEN!!!
Thanks Bruce. James is a great source.
I agree with you full heatedly. Over the past 3 years I have gone through some pretty tough trials. My pastor even preached a message about a couple of my tribulations. However, over the last three years I have grown closer to God and my faith has grown without me even realizing it. As I face each new trial I realize that I face it with more confidence and faith than the trials in my past. I am able to face the situations that would have caused me to fall into great depression 3 years ago with a new confidence in my Lord. Instead of complaining I look at ways that I can grow in the midst of the storm. Like one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible when Peter walked on water, I keep my focus on the Lord during the storms. As I keep my focus on Him I am able to "walk on water" and make it THROUGH the storm. I say through because I don't want God to take the storm away, but to help me to get through them so that I can mature in my faith. If I take my eyes off the Lord I start to sink, but because of God's grace all I have to do is get my focus back on Him and reach out my hands to Him and He will pull me out of the water and keep me from drowning.
That ended up being longer than I thought. LOL Sorry. I just want to thank you for such a great post. Your blogs have been instrumental in my growth as well as my talks with my assistant pastor about how we can do things better within our church. Thanx again.
Thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad God is calling you to Himself through these storms.