** My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: ** Hebrews 12:5
I can only think of 2 times that the Lord spoke to me in that nearly audible voice.
Both times He spoke a rebuke. Both times He was right and I was wrong.
The good news is that I heard Him. I knew He was speaking to me and I knew I needed to do something about what He had said. I didn’t react instantly. I had to walk through a couple things to get myself into compliance.
I had to first recognize and accept that He was right and I was wrong. Not always easy to do in any relationship. But very important in my relationship with Him.
Then I needed to start working on correcting my behaviour or thoughts or feelings and get them in line with what He told me to do.
Then I needed to praise Him. Even though I wanted to be mad at Him or argue with Him.
** By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. ** Hebrews 13:15
Sometimes it is hard to praise God. Sometimes we only want to cry or be mad or talk Him out of what He is doing or saying.
But what I have learned is that praise gets me back on right-footing with God. I exalt Him above my desires and my will and I let Him take the reins of my life again.
** O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: ** Psalm 66:8
** For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice,…. ** Psalm 95:7
** And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.** Acts 22:14
It’s important for us to hear and to yield to His voice. Even if we don’t like what He has to say. Even if it is a correction. Even if it is going to cost us something.
**11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; ** Hebrews 12: 11-15
Rebuke, chastisement, correction is for our good. Just like it is good for our children to help them walk in the right direction. The thing is that the Lord is never harsh. Never mean. Never vengeful with His children. He speaks clearly, succinctly…so that we do not mistake His voice nor His message. He never rebukes in anger, but always speaks with clarity.
And once we respond the way we should, He is there to heal us, to give us peace in our hearts again and fill us with joy.
We have 66 little books in one large book filled with God’s voice. His Words. We read it every day. We learn and we seek Him. But every once in a great while, we need to HEAR Him talk to us, telling us to knock it off and get back on track.