God did not direct His call to Isaiah— Isaiah overheard God saying, “…who will go for Us?” The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. “Many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). That is, few prove that they are the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened. Then they hear “the voice of the Lord” continually asking, “…who will go for Us?” However, God doesn’t single out someone and say, “Now, you go.” He did not force His will on Isaiah. Isaiah was in the presence of God, and he overheard the call. His response, performed in complete freedom, could only be to say, “Here am I! Send me.”Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate, insistence of His “Follow Me” was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19). If we will allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God, we too will hear what Isaiah heard— “the voice of the Lord.” In perfect freedom we too will say, “Here am I! Send me.”

___________________________________________________________

January 14 2015

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Lord, thank you for this day and this devotional. This devotional reminds us that You are communicating with us, all of us, all the time. Our ability to hear is the issue. And we hear you clearly when we are connected. Help me to get connected, stay connected and to live it out this day Lord.  And Lord, You know that I am not together enough to say send me; but I know that whatever I face in the journey is already dealt with by You. Thank you for the reminder that we can all say “send me” because the Holy Spirit that opens our ears also prepares and protects us as we step out.

And God says…” Your surrender is all that is required to develop ears that can hear. My sheep know My voice.  Occasionally you will have to “wait”, trust and believe before you can hear Me clearly. But do not stop surrendering and listening. Do not step out on your own thinking you have it all figured out in advance…..you know…I show you a slice of the journey so that you can then grab hold and say…”Thank You Lord for showing me, now I’ve got this”. Trust in Me and wait on Me until the next steps are very bright and clear. Do not say…”Here I am send me” and then rush out on your own. When I send you, I send you knowing your next steps, only lighting your way a few steps at a time. The key is to get and stay connected, knowing all things work for the good of those that love the Lord.”

Thank You Lord, but how long will I have to wait on You?  How long will you keep me waiting?  How long before I know it is You that is speaking, guiding and directing my steps? How long before you act? How long before you actually show and equip me for my connection and the next steps?

Spend your “waiting time” in surrender, worship and prayer, and you will never wait again.  You will simply be connected to the moment…with Me. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart.