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  HEARING FROM GOD
  by A.W. Tozer
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Summary: To hear from God, we must learn to quiet ourselves and wait in
solitude, just as John the Baptist did in the desert.

Topics: "Hearing from God", "Solitude and Silence"
Scripture References: Matthew 3:4

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DESCRIPTION
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A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of solitude and silence in hearing
from God, using John the Baptist as an example of someone who embraced
quietness to prepare for his prophetic ministry. John lived in the
desert, away from distractions, allowing him to connect deeply with God,
which ultimately drew crowds to him when he spoke. Tozer argues that in
our noisy world, we often miss the opportunity to hear God's voice, and
he encourages believers to carve out time for solitude and reflection.
The sermon calls for a return to quietness in order to truly listen for
God's guidance and presence.

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CONTENT
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Now John himself was clothed in camel's hair, with a leather belt around
his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. Then Jerusalem, all
Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him and were
baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. --Matthew 3:4-5

Let me give you some reasons why I believe God could honor John the
Baptist in that day in which he lived.

First, John had the ability to live and meditate in solitude. He knew
the meaning of quietness. He was in the desert until the time of his
showing forth unto Israel as a prophet. He came out of his lonely
solitude to break the silence like a drumbeat or as the trumpet sounds.
The crowds came--all gathered to hear this man who had been with God and
who had come from God.

In our day we just cannot get quiet enough and serene enough to wait on
God. Somebody has to be talking. Somebody has to be making a noise. But
John had gone into the silence and had matured in a kind of special
school with God and the stars and the wind and the sand....

I do not believe it is stretching a point at all to say that we will
most often hear from God in those times when we are silent. Christ the
Eternal Son, 130.

"Oh, Lord, help me to carve out of my busy schedule some time with 'God
and the stars and the wind and the sand.' Amen."

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/aw-tozer/hearing-from-god/
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