Hear My Voice.

Real Dudes,
This past weekend I just felt like my head was in the clouds. Couldn’t think, couldn’t feel emotions, I just felt blah. I knew I would be leading baptisms on Sunday, but there was no emotion about that before I got to the church. That was devastating to me, because I was going to be baptizing a good friend of mine and I knew he was super excited about taking this step of obedience. I prayed and asked God to help me identify what was going on with me, to wake me up and to help me make it through the day with a sincere spirit. Shortly after I arrived at church one of our greeters at the front doors shook my hand and pulled me in close. He quietly told me that he appreciates all that I do at the church. It wasn’t that I was longing to hear that or seeking it out, but God in His perfect way and time spoke some words into me through one of His children, and it completely changed my outlook on the entire day. Thankfully, baptisms and other aspects of the morning became a blessing for sure and I was glad to share in the excitement of the one I would be baptizing. Crazy timing, but this morning I read a verse that fits perfectly here. Before I jump into that verse, I would like to remind us of what Jesus tells us in John 10:27, He says that “‘My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me’.” If we know God’s voice then we should desire the same as what some other Bible Characters express in Scripture. Consider…

• 1 Samuel 3:9 "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening".
• Psalm 85:8 "I will hear what God the Lord will speak; he promises peace to his people".
• And Psalm 27:8 "My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming’".
  • Pulling each of those verses together we are reminded to say, “Lord, speak…I’m listening.” “I will hear what You will say.” Come talk with Me…“Lord, I am coming.” Now here’s the verse that spurred today’s devotional… 

Psalm 35:3 

• (NIV) Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to me, “I am your salvation.”
• (NLT) Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Let me hear you say, “I will give you victory!”
• (CSB) Draw the spear and javelin against my pursuers, and assure me, “I am your deliverance.”

Lord, I’m coming and here I am. Now please say to me / Let me hear you say / Assure me _____________ (you fill in the blank). 
Men, what is it that you would want Him to pull you in and remind you of? Just a word of caution…if we’re not careful we’ll run to the wrong voices during our time of need. For instance, in…
Psalm 42:3 we read, “My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God?’”
Psalm 42:10, “As with a breaking of my bones, My enemies reproach me, While they say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”
Psalm 11:1 “In the Lord I put my trust; How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee as a bird to your mountain’?”
Maybe it’s even your own voice that’s leading you down the wrong path. For example, we read the following in Luke 12:19, “And I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.’”
Which voice(s) will you give more attention to? Whichever you choose could affect your day, your mood, your family, your outlook on everything, your character, your eternal destination, etc. 
I just want to encourage each of us to desire and long to hear His voice. Come to Him (Lord, I am coming). Cry out to Him today and ask Him to say to you something that you need to hear right now. What is it? What do you need to hear from Him or from His people? Ask, allow Him to pull you in, and then be listening for His response. Hope this helps you as much as it helped me. 
Practicing His Presence,
Nate

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