Walking With Jesus: Five Day Bible Plan With Dr Ernest CrockerSample

Day Three: What if you are not hearing the voice of God in your daily life?

1. Perhaps you are not listening? 

It is vital to spend time alone with God, just as you would with a close friend, to find that special time when you can approach the throne of grace without interruption or distraction. It may be early in the morning or the last thing at night, it may be at work with the office door closed or in your bedroom. It has been said that we need three ‘quiets’ in our life: a quiet time to be alone with God, a quiet friend in whom we can confide, and a quiet place that lends itself to   prayerful contemplation. 

And we must take time to listen. As a physician and writer, I am a great believer in the pregnant pause. It is at such times that people will often speak from the depths of their heart. So, with God, he will speak into the depths of our heart when we allow him to do so.

2. Maybe you have ignored the last thing he said to you?

Some years ago, I had a dispute with a neighbor over a dividing fence. A small issue, but one which drove us apart.  God laid it on my heart to resolve the matter and apologize for my part. But I failed to do so. Subsequently, I found my relationship with God waning. I was not hearing from him; I was not growing spiritually. "What was the last thing I asked you to do?" he said. It had been twelve months to the day. I apologized to my neighbor. The issue was resolved, and my relationship with God was renewed. 

3. Have you hardened your heart?

Seemingly unanswered prayer, disappointment or worldly distraction may weaken our faith and expectation. And this is often accentuated as time passes. It becomes difficult to reach out. We become reluctant to approach God.

Neuroscience has taught us that as time passes, our brain loses plasticity, its ability to learn and adapt. Perhaps this is why Christ said that we should come to him as little children, with open minds and without prejudice. Perhaps this is why Paul tells us that we should be continually renewed, transformed in the spirit of our minds.

Reflect: Are you able to approach God with an unprejudiced, open mind renewed by his Holy Spirit and are you obedient to his word?