Micah 6:1-2 Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear Thy voice. Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD’S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with His people, and He will plead with Israel.
What a blessing to know that God hears us. BUT, if we don’t work at our relationship with God above everything else, we will not have that closeness. The world looks at the true Christian in amazement, and says, “look at them under stress—they are still smiling, still serving God !”
SO—WHY do most Christians not have that when at one time many of them did ? It is called incrementalism. Many small compromises, till the Christian is miserable, without being conscious of why it happened. The devil uses the same in the loss of freedoms in this country. Most don’t even notice what freedoms are gone today—but they know that it isn’t the same as it was years ago.
Incrementalism gives people a false idea that seems reasonable to them. Then, it builds upon that false idea, and before long, they are powerless to resist anything that is said against evil.
1. THROW OUT THE IDEA THAT YOU CAN BE JUST AS CLOSE TO GOD IN ONE PLACE AND TIME AS ANOTHER.
A. EVEN JESUS’ MOTHER THOUGHT INCORRECTLY.
Luke 8:19 Then came to Him His mother and His brethren, and could not come at Him for the press.
B. SOMETIMES WE LOOK FOR GOD TO SPEAK THROUGH THE WRONG THINGS.
1 Kings 19:11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
2. THROW AWAY THE IDEA THAT GOD ACCEPTS OUR PRAYERS NO MATTER WHAT CONDITION WE ARE IN.
A. CAN’T FIND GOD BECAUSE SIN IS IN THE WAY.
Psalms 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
B. DON’T LOSE SIGHT OF GOD’S TRACK RECORD.
He uses people and speaks through them. Sometimes we nee to listen. Other times, we need to dismiss what they say. But, we need to be close enough to the Lord to hear God’s discernment on the matter,
Isaiah 63:11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he that put his holy Spirit within him ?
C. ACCEPT THE TRUTH THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE DON’T KNOW. JUST TRUST GOD, AND EVENTUALLY, YOU WILL KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN.
Job 30:20 I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.
D. DON’T THINK THAT WHEN JUDGMENT COMES THAT GOD WILL ALWAYS KEEP ON SPEAKING.
Micah 3:4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings.
E. BE AWARE THAT GOD GIVES A LIMITED TIME TO RESPOND TO HIS VOICE.
We know that America is going to be judged soon. If we know that, and know the time is short, we should be doing all we can and listening to God’s Word faithfully.
Isaiah 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.
FELLOWSHIP IS A TWO WAY STREET. BOTH PARTIES COMMUNICATE. GOD CAN SPEAK WITHOUT HAVING FELLOWSHIP WITH YOU.
–MOST PEOPLE WANT THE FELLOWSHIP SO THEY CAN TALK TO GOD. GOD GAVE YOU ONE MOUTH AND TWO EARS. TWICE AS MANY THINGS FOR HEARING BECAUSE HEARING WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING HEARD.
3. GOD WILL NOT HEAR CERTAIN THINGS.
A. PRAYERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE REMOVED THEMSELVES FROM HOPE.
Jeremiah was instructed not to pray for Israel any more.
Jeremiah 14:11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
—The prayers of sinners after He has already closed the door of opportunity.
Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.
B. THAT GOD WILL ACCEPT A PLEA BARGAIN FOR OUR JUDGMENT.
Moses praying that he could see the promised land.
Deuteronomy 3:26 But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.
C. WHEN WE ASK FOR THINGS NOT ACCORDING TO GOD’S WILL.
Asking for things just to satisfy self is not proper for a Christian. James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
D. OUR RESPONSE TO GOD’S VOICE OUGHT TO BE A MORE DEDICATED LIFE FOR THE LORD.
But, God in His great mercy has extended an invitation to all.
Revelation 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
CAN YOU HEAR THAT ? SOMEONE MAY HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE, AND YOU REFUSED TO HEAR IT. IF YOU DO NOW, NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE YOUR DECISION. TOMORROW YOU MAY NOT HEAR IT ONCE MORE, AND BE LIKE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO TELL THOSE WHO CARE ABOUT THEM, “I JUST DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT.”
JUST HEARING FROM GOD DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU ARE OK. YOU HEARD FROM GOD BEFORE YOU GOT SAVED. BAALAM HEARD FROM GOD. THE RICH MAN WANTING TO BUILD BIGGER BARNS HEARD FROM GOD. EVIL KINGS HEAR FROM GOD.
FELLOWSHIP ONLY COMES BY BEING IN A RIGHT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD JESUS.