“...and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart..."

“But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.”

Jeremiah 1:7

Eleven times, in the first fifteen chapters of Jeremiah, it is recorded that God spoke directly to Jeremiah. God is not silent, separate, remote or removed from the everyday lives of His people. There is nothing about God that is limited by time or space… He can speak to anyone, any time or any place. The Lord spoke to Adam in a garden and to Moses in a desert. He spoke to Noah in an ark, on the floodwaters of judgment. He spoke to Jacob at the brook, Jabbok. The Lord spoke to Paul in prison, to Peter on a rooftop and to John on an island called Patmos. Suffice it to say that the voice of God is not limited to tents, temples, or tabernacles.

Whereas it is important that the Christian hear the voice of God, it is imperative that the minister hear the voice of God. An occasional awareness of God’s leading is not enough. The people we minister to, must have a Word from God. A Word from God changes a sermon into a message. Sermons are shared... messages are preached. A presentation is one thing… a prophetic word is quite another. A Word from God can give wisdom, caution, correction, confirmation, or comfort at a critical moment in someone’s life. How we need to hear God speak!

The Lord doesn’t just speak a word to us for others; He speaks to us for us. I know the people I preach to, need a Word from God---but, I need a Word. I need to hear Him. Each of us deal with our own issues and face our own unique challenges….we need to hear Him. A Word from God can give us discernment in the midst of difficulty. A Word from God can give us peace in the midst of our problems and counsel when we are confused. A word from God will feed our faith and give us strength to renounce our fears. God speaks through His Word. He speaks to us while we worship and exalt Him. God speaks to us when we are praying…. and God speaks to us as we just go through our day. We serve a God that speaks to His people.

The Lord spoke to Job in the midst of a storm. On a ship tossed by wind and wave, Jesus spoke To a storm. When you’re in a storm, it really doesn’t matter whether the Lord speaks to it or In it…. as long as He speaks. Perhaps that’s where you are……in a storm. A storm of opposition. A storm of discouragement. A storm of fear. A storm of financial pressure. A storm of sickness. A storm of temptation. A storm of confusion. Regardless the storm….. He speaks. Today, on this October Monday morning, no matter what your situation---mountain or valley, stormy or still, make it your determination to hear God speaking into your spirit.

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto

me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.”

(Jeremiah 15:16)