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Humility, Not Methods
“Then [the man in the vision] continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.” Daniel 10:12 (NIV)
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.” Psalm 86:5 (NIV)
Do not be misled into thinking there is some sure-fire technique for squeezing what you want to know out of God. What is important is a life surrendered to God (as Daniel exhibited), a humble openness to his direction even when it is contrary to our wants and assumptions, experience with the way his word comes to us and fervent but patient requests for guidance.
These do not constitute a method for getting an answer from him. Talk of method is, strictly speaking, out of place, although there are general, practical guidelines. God is not someone we “butter up” for a result, even though certain behaviors are more or less appropriate before him. We must beware of trying to force God to speak, especially when we are not in peaceful union with him.
God is the kind of person Jesus revealed him to be. Such a person will show us if there’s a problem and what it is, provided that we openheartedly pray and seek to be shown. It is crucial to remember that God does not play hide-and-seek games with us. We must make a point of not thinking of God in terms of human beings (relatives, supervisors, authorities and others) who may have enjoyed tricking us by not explaining what we were supposed to do.
MEDITATION: Read Psalm 86:5 again:
“You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.”
When have you not experienced goodness from those who might have offered it, causing you to suspect that God is not good? How is God’s goodness rich and full (never ending, dependable, unwavering)? In what respect do you need further development: surrendering to God; opening yourself humbly to direction that may be contrary to your wants; gaining more experience with the way God’s word comes to us; offering fervent but patient requests for guidance?
About this Plan
Dallas Willard urged us to learn and practice prayer as a two-way dialogue with God. These excerpts from his best-selling book Hearing God, assembled by Jan Johnson, are an invitation to meet God, to allow his voice to shape your choices, and to encourage your heart. As you begin this four-week reading plan, thank God that he promises to meet you wherever you are in your faith journey.
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