In my last post, I referred to His overtures toward us in whisperings and looks. Have you ever really thought about that? How many times have we said, "I wish He'd just send me an email with instructions as to what to do!" I know I have! Maybe He would, if we'd obey! But, what we're really saying is that we want Him to tell us what His will is, then we'll decide if we'll obey or not. Well, it doesn't work that way, does it?
In Revelation 3:20, He writes, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." I can't tell you what that says in the original language, but what I've been taught about this passage is that He is speaking in a low volume. Now, that seems rather unfair, doesn't it? You might say, "Then how are we supposed to hear Him?" I believe it implies we are to be listening for His voice...have our ears trained to listen for His voice. Why is it that a TIRED, sleeping mother will instantly awaken when her baby makes a barely audible whimper? She's trained herself to listen for that voice, as she loves that baby and knows it is totally dependent upon her for its every need. We live in such a busy, self-sufficient environment that we haven't come to the realization that we are totally dependent upon Him for our every need, so we haven't trained ourselves to listen for His still, small voice. He is very unassuming, not barging in where He's not wanted, so we need to cultivate our ears to be able to distinguish His voice from all the others that shout loudly for our attention!
And the looks...Psalm 32:8 says, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." I have prayed this verse MANY, many times for myself and others. But, as I was praying it one time, I came to the shameful conclusion that I wasn't taking time to look into His eyes. How could I receive the counsel He wanted to give me with His eye upon me if I wasn't even looking into His eye(s)? I've heard the example of a father seated at the dinner table with his family and not saying anything when a child misbehaved, but rather, just giving the child a look. The look said it all and the child was reproved. I have to wonder how many of His looks I've missed. And His looks are not only for reproof. He gives us many looks of love and approval, but I believe we miss most of them.
Let us keep our ears and eyes open for His whisperings and looks of love. We long for them, don't we?
Lois, this is profound! What an analogy, our Father looking at us, and how we miss those looks! My father was like that, he never laid a hand on us but, one turn of his head and look from his eye, would chill us kids (7) to the bone. But, I was able to catch that look because i was kept an eye on him, from time to time, just always had him in my peripheral view. You have given me a lot to think about. I have thought many times that my deep deep love for my father has helped me with understanding the love of my heavenly Father. But, I think that I was more mindful of my father's looks than my heavenly Father's. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, love, Lyn
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