Hearing From God
To hear from God, we must learn to quiet ourselves and wait in solitude, just as John the Baptist did in the desert.
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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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."
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Solitude
- The Need for Silence
- Hearing from God
- The role of silence in hearing from God
- The importance of carving out time for solitude
Key Quotes
“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.” — A.W. Tozer
“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.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Make time for solitude and quietness in your daily schedule to hear from God more clearly.
- Develop a habit of waiting on God in silence, rather than constantly seeking distractions.
- Mature in your faith by embracing the benefits of solitude and quietness.