Opening Prayer: “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.”
Daily Scripture Reading:
- I Corinthians 12:7-11
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Romans 1:19-20
- Job 33:14
- Mark 4:24
Have you ever declined an unfamiliar caller on your phone just to have the same number call you right back? It’s easy to ignore it the first time, but the second time makes me question. “Is it something important? Is it urgent? They must really need to speak to me!” When they call back, I pay attention.
We read that God gave Joseph two different dreams, on two different nights that pointed to the same destiny. We know that Joseph took notice after the first dream because he told his brothers about it, but I’m sure after the second one he was really paying attention.
This tells us a couple of powerful truths about our Heavenly Father’s character. First, He speaks. He speaks to us. He is our Creator God and He speaks in all kinds of creative ways. Earlier this week we read in Job that He will still speak through dreams and visions. Today we read that He speaks through the gifts of prophecy and words of knowledge. We also read that all Scripture is God breathed so He speaks through the Bible. In Romans we read that He makes Himself known to us through creation. He can also speak through our circumstances and He is constantly speaking to His children through His indwelling Holy Spirit. God speaks. It’s one of my favorite things about Him.
God giving Joseph two dreams also teaches us that He wants us to “get it.” He is not trying to hide His plans for your life from you. We read earlier this week in Jeremiah that we can find Him when we seek Him with all our hearts. His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His agenda usually looks different than ours but He isn’t trying to trick us. I’m sure you have had seasons where God repeats a theme or truth to you over and over in several different ways. The verse you read during your personal time in the Word is the very Scripture that is preached about on Sunday morning! Then, the same subject comes up in conversation with a friend, in a book you are reading, and a podcast you are listening to! Today we read in Job that God speaks “now in one way, now another.” And in Mark He tells us to “consider carefully what you hear” in the NIV and to “pay close attention” in the NLT.
God speaks and He wants us to pay attention. Just like He gave Joseph two dreams, He will speak to us again and again of who He is and who we are.
Today’s Big Questions: What has God been saying to you lately? How has He been speaking to you? Do you usually hear from Him through creation, through His Word, through others, in prayer and communion with the Holy Spirit, in dreams and visions? Are you paying attention?
Prayer Response: Today get quiet before the Lord and position yourself to listen carefully to what you hear. Repeat Samuel’s simple prayer from 1 Samuel 3:10, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”
Optional Action Step: Take a walk and really pay attention to what God may be saying to you. Look around ask for revelation through creation. Notice any thoughts or Scriptures that come to mind.
Closing Prayer: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20-21