Today’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 45:16-47:27
Does God speak to you in church?
In the shower?
Through other people?
When you’re praying or reading His Word?
When you’re enjoying the beauty of His creation?
In a dream?
In the car?
God spoke to Jacob when he traveled…
- From Berrsheba to Haran–Genesis 28:10-15
- From Paddan-Aram to the land of his father–Genesis 32: 22-32
- From his home to Egypt–Genesis 46: 1-4
For most of my working life I have been a road warrior. Whether is was driving around my three-county area making Mary Kay deliveries or leaving town on Mondays and returning on Fridays teaching bankers how to sell; I’ve spent a lot of time in my car. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been driving down the road AND trying to write down something God placed in my mind. I have been “off the road” for a few years and I really miss my time with God in the car.
With all Jacob’s wives and drama, plus his responsibilities as a businessman, I’m sure he didn’t have much quiet time. I know this is true in my life as well.
I guess the only time God could get me and my friend Jacob’s attention was when we were away from the daily routine.
It would be so much better it we could hear from God everyday. I know, God didn’t speak that often in Old Testament times, but that’s not the case today. Thanks to Jesus’ death, resurrection, and return to heaven, He is now our constant intercessor, talking to the Father about our prayers and the Holy Spirit is our 24/7 direct line to Jesus.
Would you like to hear from God more often?
How bad do you want it?
Enough to stop and listen?
David Jeremiah writes in his book, “Prayer, the Great Adventure”: Unless I’m badly mistaken, one of the main reasons so many of God’s children don’t have a significant prayer life is not so much that we don’t want to, but that we don’t plan to. If you want to take a four-week vacation, you don’t just get up one summer morning and say, “Hey, let’s go today!”
Isn’t that how most of us treat our prayer life; we’re waiting to be “inspired” to pray?
I wonder if Jacob spent time each day talking and listening to God, asking for direction and guidance for the day?
Or… did he do like I’ve done for most of my life. “Good Morning God, this is what I’m doing and where I’m going, please bless it!”
Satan, the enemy of our soul has sold us a lie, “The busier we are, the less time have to give to God.”
- God doesn’t need our time, we are the ones who need His time.
- The busier and crazier our lives get the more we need His discernment, guidance, and peace.
Martin Luther said it best:
“I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.”
Friends, it doesn’t make a difference where we pray, the important thing is to make time daily to be with God. Let’s commit to one another that we won’t wait until we “find the time” to pray or until we get away from it all like Jacob. Let’s make 2013 the year that we planned to pray!
Heavenly Father, forgive us for taking You for granted. Help us to realize our need to spend time with You each day. Please don’t stop speaking to us!
Holy Spirit, teach us to make time to seek You!
In Jesus’ Name. Amen and Amen!
©2013, Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Genesis 47:28-50:26
Dianne,
LOVE this post!
When I was in sales, I treasured my time in the car with God. I was away from everything and everyone and I truly had such a sweet time of God in my car. It was my prayer closet.
I miss those times too. But I LOVE how you shared Martin Luther’s quote for those times when we think we’re too busy. That’s when we need to pray more.
Oh…and by they way, today, my post was about prayer too. Looks like you and I were on the same page.