THE LORD SPOKE (June 18)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: I Chronicles 21-22

"I can't hear you - I've got a banana in my ear." Those silly words usually indicate more of a problem on the part of the communicatee than of the communicator. In today's text, David definitely has a banana in his ear. He does a lot of talking himself (to Joab, to Gad, to God, to the people), but he's not hearing the Lord speak directly to him any more. Did you notice?

• 21:9-10 - "the Lord said to Gad...'Go and tell David...'"
• 21:18 - "...the angel of the Lord ordered Gad to tell David..."

It's almost starting to sound like the last days of Saul when he didn't hear the Lord speak anymore and he sought out Samuel (even after his death) to hear God's voice. But the big difference here is David's response when he realizes what is happening:

• 21:8 - "David said to God, 'I have sinned...'"
• 21:17 - "I am the one who has sinned and done wrong"

Then we read:

• 21:26 - "he called on the Lord and the Lord answered him"
• 22:8 - "this word of the Lord came to me" (David recalls the past because it's back to the way it should be again)

Did you hear the Lord speak to you today? He does so through His Word, the Bible. Have you read it today? Were you really listening when you did? David told his son Solomon exactly how to do that best: "Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the Lord your God" (22:19).


New Testament: Ephesians 1

When she said, “I have a headache in my tummy,” we knew exactly what she meant. At three years of age it made perfectly good sense. After all, the anatomy is connected.

When Paul speaks of “the eyes of your heart” he grabs our attention with another anatomical link. We see spiritual things with our heart. The Holy Spirit so moves in our hearts that we are given wisdom and revelation by which we can know God better (Eph. 1:17). The results are enlightenment, encouragement (hope), and a personal experience of God’s mighty power (Eph. 1:18-19).

Enlightenment. Our understanding is opened up by the Spirit of God in such a way that we can see the truth of Scripture. He doesn’t give new revelation anymore; the completed Scripture is sufficient. But He does give illumination. He reveals the meaning and enlightens our understanding of that which is written. And He guides us through the next steps of application.

Encouragement. He also brings joy and encouragement to our lives as we see spiritual truth. Hope turns to certainty. Faith becomes substance. It’s not a mystical wondering - it’s a steadfast assurance. Because it depends on God’s power and not our own, it produces an assurance. Hope turns to certainty.

Experience. When God begins to move, we feel His power. We recognize His authority and dominion in control of all things. We can experience “the working of his mighty strength”. Things happen which can only be explained as the power of God. We experience the pure joy of knowing God and seeing Him work.

Paul had spent three years with these people. He knew them well. He had high hopes and high expectations for them. Even a quick glance at the contents of this first chapter reveals the theological depth of the Ephesians. They were thrilled to receive a letter from their teacher and he wasted no time jumping in with a prayer that the eyes of their hearts might be enlightened, encouraged, and that they might experience the fullness of God.

Does that sound good to you too?