Police Devotional 10-22-20
Hearing from God
“…the voice of his word.” (Psalm 103:20)
As a politician, you spend a lot of time hearing from people: constituents, political allies, and opponents, the media. It’s probably fair to say most of these people want something from you. Yet how often do you take time to hear from God? Hearing from God is not hard. It’s as easy as opening a copy of the Bible and asking God to speak to your heart as you read.
One big difference between hearing from people and hearing from God is that God isn’t looking for you to give Him something. He already owns everything. As He said in Psalm 50:10, “For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” The fact that we have a Bible is a testimony to God’s generous nature. God gave us His Word for our benefit, not His.
You don’t need a Bible to know that there is a God: Psalm 19:1 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork.” Romans 1:20 also says, “For the invisible things of him [God] from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead;” So even if you never read Psalm 19:1, you could look at the heavens and see that God is glorious. Likewise, even without reading Romans 1:20, you can also look at things that are made and know that God is Sovereign and very powerful.
Yet what if God had never inspired the writing of His Word? What if He had just let us wander through life with no way of knowing what He’s about? It would be no loss to God. He would still have His power and majesty. Yet it would be a disaster for us. Confusion would reign. However, 1 Corinthians 13:33 says, “For God is not the author of confusion,” So God, in His love for us and not wanting us to be confused, inspired people to write what would later be put together into a volume known as the Bible.
The Bible is God’s Word, and as our opening passage says, it has a voice. It’s not an audible voice, but a voice that speaks to your heart as you read. It’s also not a loud, booming voice, but a still, small voice. At one point the prophet Elijah was very unhappy because of all the wickedness that the people of Israel were doing. So God commanded him,
“And he [God] said [to Elijah], 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: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still, small voice [boldface added].” (1 Kings 19: 11-13)
Elijah needed to hear from God. God also knew that Elijah needed encouragement, and God gave Elijah what he needed to carry on his work. As a public official who wields power over people’s lives, you also need to hear from God. God also knows what you need to carry on your work, even more than you do: “…for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” (Matthew 6:8)
Public office is not about doing whatever it takes to get riches and power. Neither one is forever. “For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?” (Proverbs 27:24) God wants to give you far more important things: wisdom for right decisions, moral convictions based on what’s right, the courage to stand against political and media fallout, grace to endure personal and professional hardships, and encouragement and peace of mind that God is ultimately in control.
Take time during your day to hear from God by reading His Word. Most of all, God wants to give you the assurance that when your time on earth is over, you will be in Heaven with Him. To learn more, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org
Home
Welcome to Cleveland baptist Church Sunday Mornings at 9:00 am & 11:00 am Sunday Evenings at 6 pm & Wednesdays at 7 pm Watch Live Prayer Sheet Bulletin Connection Card Coronavirus Response Click Here for Updates and Information The Pastor’s Greeting Thank you for taking some time to visit our online home. We strive to preach Christ Jesus…
www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 10/22/2020
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822