Greetings to you…highly-favored one, created in God’s image…in the unique and holy name of Jesus Christ – THE Risen Savior! What a beautiful winter morning in the Kingdom – this is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! This morning, mymind is captured by the chorus…Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place-I can feel His mighty power and His grace-I can hear the brush of angel’s wings-I see glory on each face-Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place! This morning I will be praying for you, asking Father to make His presence known to you in ways that you can understand and in ways that you might respond to…may He meet your specific need!
I have often had to respond to a struggling saint who tells me that they are not sensing God’s presence, not hearing Him speak to them, or not answering their prayers. They usually tell how they have been actively reading His Word or praying or spending time in praise and worship or all three. “I have been working hard at this,” says the saint. It is almost like a formula for them. My usual response comes from my personal experience…”maybe you need to try a little softer!” God, as you well know cannot and will not be forced or cajoled or manipulated. I have learned that…His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts!
The little secret that I have learned is summed up in a sentence or two: The art of listening-waiting takes practice, especially when your mind is used to being in control. If you aren’t used to waiting and listening for His ways and thoughts…don’t give up but surrender. Stop trying so hard, try softer. He is longing to spend time with you…expect that and listen for His words. Perhaps that is what the Psalmist had in mind when he wrote…Surrender your anxiety! Be silent and stop striving (working so hard) and you will see that I am God. – Psalm 46:10a TPT.
Something to ponder…be blessed!