25th January, 2022.

POSTURES FOR DIVINE DIRECTION Pt.2

Ezekiel 14:4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols;

HEART POSTURE( B)

I heard the story of a seminarian who was asking God to know His will for life and ministry after leaving the seminary. While praying, someone heard what he was saying. The person hid himself somewhere and spoke in response to his request saying "My son, go to Africa". This seminarian quickly rebuked the devil saying "I rebuke you devil in Jesus name. I will not go to Africa". Though he was praying to know the will of God for ministry, it was obvious that Africa was a no go area for him. In his heart, he had made up his mind already on where not to to go yet he was asking the Lord to send him out on ministry. The posture of his heart already had preference(s) even before going to God in prayer. That's what it means to set up idols in ones heart.

The reason some do not hear clearly from God is because they have set up idols in their heart. They have rigid preferences that God cannot change. When you set up idols in your heart, it is either you don't hear God speak at all or you hear yourself based on your preference. I have seen this work out in matters like marriage and other aspect of life. I once spoke to a woman who stood vehemently against inter tribal marriage. She said emphatically that God cannot tell her children to marry from another tribe and that she will tell God what she want. Her belief holds that she has the power to dictate to God whatever she want and then God will grant her request. Often, this assertion is backed by some scriptures wrongly misunderstood. Does it mean we should not have a desire as believers? Of course not. We are not robots. However, God want us to be pliable and not rigid.

If the posture of your heart is not in total surrender to God's absolute will for your life, you block the flow of divine direction. It is not how long you spend on the mountain that matters but the posture of your heart while praying. God can lead you in no time if your heart is ready. Sometimes, I perceive the reason we don't get clear direction from God quickly is because He is weighing our hearts and working on us till we are ready to receive what He has to say. There's so much going on within that requires adjustment. Hearts that are unwilling to follow God's will and obey Him will never enjoy the benefit of divine direction: “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: “But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it” (Isa. 1:19–20). Do you really want to hear from God on that matter bothering your heart? Re tune your heart and let it be made ready and open to receiving whatever God has to say.