Overheard

There are times we should listen intently to hear what is being said.

Text for Today – Revelation 1:10 – I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice . . .

Overhearing something important by accident is, I am convinced, really quite rare.  International government agencies listen to overhear one another.  Neighbors in apartments do the same thing.  Family members likewise do the same.  In most cases, we might call it eavesdropping, or even more simply, being nosy.  Regardless of what we call it, or the reason it happens, it is a common occurrence.  In almost every case in which one overhears what one wishes to hear, it is because that person chose to be in a particular place at a particular time, often in hopes of overhearing, or someone desires that  person to overhear something, and therefore creates the opportunity for it to occur.  In some cases, it is the work of both parties, the one overhearing, and the one desiring to be overheard, coming together to cause it to occur.

Such are the examples set before you here.  John, in the Spirit on the Lord’s day on Patmos; Isaiah in the temple following the death of Uzziah; and Moses in the cloud in the mountain where he was to receive the commandments of the Lord.  In each case, God had something He wanted to reveal, and those to whom He would reveal it were willing recipients, placing themselves in a position to receive the revelation God wanted to share.

When was the last time you overheard something from the Lord?  It could have been Sunday when someone in the church uttered a Word from the Lord.  God wanted you to hear the Word, and when you were in place, He allowed you to overhear it as it came from Him through someone else.  You see, you need to take such an opportunity as a very personal privilege from the hand of the Lord.  If God had not wanted you to hear that Word, I am sure He could have prevented you from hearing it.  Yet you heard it.  God wanted YOU to hear it; YOU personally.  Though you may have been in a crowd, God intended that Word to be heard by you personally.  Whatever you do, never pass off such an opportunity to overhear what the Lord is saying as not applying to you personally.  When you are privy to such a marvelous occasion, relish it, remember it, and respond to it.  Such a Word from the Lord can change your entire life.

Manna for Today – Isaiah 6:1-8; Revelation 1-5; Romans 10:6-17