Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 98:1-3 Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
2 The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.
3 He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation of our God. Read the entire Psalm
Praise God because he reveals himself. This Psalm reminds us that he has made his salvation known. We can know God because he has revealed himself.
Scripture Reading & Reflection
The disciples acted like we all sometimes do. We pretend we understand when we actually don’t. They had no idea what was coming their way even though the Lord tried to prepare them. All the preparation in the world can’t make us ready for testing that exceeds our current capacity. When that happened, they remembered the Lord’s words. How do I know? Well, because John wrote them down later in his gospel, and the other disciples lived them out in their lives. On this night they heard and feigned an understanding, but it was not real. It would be someday, but not on that day or in the days that followed. We have a fuller understanding because we live on the other side of the cross and empty tomb. This doesn’t mean we fully understand, and that is okay. Our understanding is accurate but incomplete. Someday it will be both accurate and complete. Someday we will truly see and understand.
John 16:29-33
29 His disciples said, “Look, now you’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. 30 Now we know that you know everything and don’t need anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.” 31 Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? 32 Indeed, an hour is coming, and has come, when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. 33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanks to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those in our church who are sick. Ask God for healing and pray that God would be glorified in their lives.