Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Sunday, August 30, 2015

Today’s Scripture:

“The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.” (Revelation 1:20).

Question for Deep Consideration:

Most of us have ears, but do we hear what the Spirit has to say?

Today’s Observation:

The beginning of the book of Revelation holds the keys to God’s identity, power, love for, and treatment of His people. The entire book holds the keys to God’s treatment of unrepentant sin, and the devil, which is the father of lies.

The imagery we will briefly highlight today comes to us from chapters two and three of the book. Our loving God is sending an inspired letter to seven churches. These are literal churches in Asia Minor; they represent different eras in history; possibly represent different stages of development in church history; and possibly represent different stages in the development of each believer’s lives. The way in which the messages are communicated have an interesting approach. God makes certain they understand that He is the one who is addressing them. Generally, He tells them things He likes about their ministries. He generally tells them in what ways He needs them to amend their ways. He tells them that they can be overcomers, and what reward will result. He admonishes those who have ears for hearing, that they should hear what the Spirit is saying. Although there are very specific lessons we can glean from the individual messages to these churches, this is it in a nutshell. Our God has a message of hope, repentance, and reward for anyone whose ears are attentive to the Holy Spirit’s voice.

Life Application:

In chapters two and three of Revelation, the Lord repeatedly says, “He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear.” The question with which we must all contend is whether or not our ears are attuned for the purpose of hearing what the Spirit has to say.

It is well known that we take in much input through hearing. Many sounds are processed simultaneously. These sounds are often a call to some action. If we hear a dog barking a certain way, we know how to react. If we are crossing the street and hear an abrupt horn beeping sound, we know we must react appropriately. If we are parents and our infant children cry, we know there is a need we must address. But, what if there is a bedlam of clashing, loud sounds all occurring simultaneously? What if at that point in time, an emergency call is coming in on our smartphone, which is set to vibrate, and is on the table? Is it possible that we will miss the call? Is it possible that we will not be able to discern the low sound of the vibrating cellphone?

Just as we are well able to hear all sounds simultaneously, but not necessarily discern fine sounds due to commotion, we must learn to be attentive to God’s voice. Many times we are overwhelming our lives with far too many simultaneous inputs. These drown out the still small voice of the Spirit. Thus, we are unable to pay attention, if we even discern His voice at all. We all must learn to make alone time with God each day, so we can be away from the hubbub of activities and competing inputs that life sends our way. We must pray, listen, study the Word, and seek to know God’s will for our lives, if ever we hope to discern His messages for us in these last days. If you have ears, then listen to what God has to say!

A Prayer for Your Hearts:

Lord, please give us ears to hear you today. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)