1Samuel 3:1 Now the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation.

      The above verse describes a sad time on earth when very little voice, inspiration, or vision from God was making its way into the hearts of men. Some translations end this verse with – visions were infrequent. An infrequent relationship with our Lord will result in an infrequent ability to hear Him. Even sadder than the voice of the Lord being infrequent within an entire population is that the population is content with the situation. Their attitude becomes somewhat careless concerning their creator, and in a short time, a nonchalance toward God becomes normal, and then they are saying, “Oh well, if we hear from God then we do, and if we don’t hear from Him then that is fine too.” Rev. 3:15 I know your deeds; you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were one or the other! 

      Being lukewarm in your relationship with God is never a place to live in, as it will result in an insipid existence rather than a vibrant life. When the problems in your life outweigh the blessings that are all around you that can be seen by others, but you can no longer appreciate them, then you are in spiritual trouble. Yesterday’s mana does not feed today’s needs. Yesterday’s revelation of the Lord does not replace the need to see our Saviour’s newly awakened vision of Him in our hearts today. Just because your grandparents and parents were strong Christians does not mean this holy strength will be inherited as some kind of spiritual get-out-of-jail-free card. We cannot live and interpret the Scriptures the way we feel would be convenient at the present moment just because we once walked a close walk with the Lord. This is rebellion under the guise of religious practices. 1Sam. 15:23a Because it is like the sin of witchcraft, to rebel: and like the crime of idolatry, to refuse to obey.  As said on many occasions, God does not have grandchildren, He only has children, and they are either obedient to His Word or they are in rebellion.  

      The overall sadness is that all the calamity, hurt, and destruction because of poor choices that a Christian goes through can be avoided because the Lord wants to communicate and live with us. Why would God allow Christ to suffer crucifixion on our behalf if our relationship with Him could not be restored? Our Heavenly Father wants us to know and see what God is doing in our lives. God is spirit and He must be spiritually discerned. 1Cor. 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The fact that God put eternity in our hearts shows us that He has plans to be with us for a very long time. Eccl. 3:11  He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end. 

      Therefore, the question becomes, “Why do so many Christians keep an arms-length relationship with the creator of the universe who wants to be close to their hearts?” I believe the answer might be as simple as – that most people are afraid God is going to ask them to do something they do not want to do. Therefore, by keeping a distance through chosen ignorance of the Word or avoiding a daily devotional time with the Holy Spirit, they fool themselves into thinking they are just disqualified enough to not be called upon by God but qualify to not lose their salvation. This is childish and immature backward reasoning. To actually think that we can coast along just under the ‘calling of God upon our life’ radar so to speak, and think that by remaining unskilled in the doctrines of the Lord, that He will leave us alone to do our own thing, is pathetic. 2Tim. 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

      My advice and it is only my advice, is to not hang around people who play at having a form of religion or have a type of godliness while denying God’s Word and power. Don’t align yourself with people not looking for the deep things God has for them. As my father-in-law used to say, “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are.”  The Lord says it simply, Matt. 7:16a By their fruit you will recognize them. The double standard that many now live by as they reinterpret the Word of God to suit their modern-day views, is as dangerous as not hearing from God for our revelatory walk with Christ. People who say, “I know the Bible says that, but I believe we can now live this way. I know the Word of God says this, but I think we can stretch that truth to take in this modern idea of consensual belief.” Saints, if you are talking out of both sides of your mouth, then it is time to be quiet less a judgment falls upon you. Prov. 30:6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.  

      My heart is that we would all approach God and ask for the illumination in His Word that will give us life here and now. Plus enter the pleasure of hearing His voice, seeing His vision for our lives, and receiving an inspiring understanding of His love for us all. I for one, after the stroke I suffered nine years ago, stopped being fearful that God would ask me to do something I would not want to do. If God is going to ask you to do something that is impactful to the Kingdom of God and also work a miracle in your soul, then it stands to reason that God will also supply the grit, courage, provision, and ability to pull it off. We are never left as orphans but rather children of the most High God. God knew us before creation and knows everything about us today. Let us trust the Lord and His Word with all our hearts so that He brings us to a place where our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ is lived in perfect love. Perfect love casts out all fear.