Matthew15:8 ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. NLT
PHYSICALLY PRESENT BUT FAR FROM GOD
I have been concerned about why some believers don't hear from God. Some prefer to consult prophets and preachers like diviners. We live in an era where singles take pictures of suitors to prophets to check whom they should marry. Some put up fleeces to decipher God's will in matters that pertains to their progress. I still wonder if a loving father would prefer to speak to his children through a second or third party or through methods that seems like throwing dice. It baffles me. Can God be so distant from his children? Speaking about the Holy Spirit in John 16:13, Jesus said, "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future".
Hearing from the Holy Spirit is not an exclusive right of some, he was sent for us all. Jesus made it clear He will speak to us directly and guide us. Why is this not a reality in the lives of many? The first reason some folks don't hear from God is because they're far from Him. You can only hear from someone you're close to in fellowship. When fellowship with God is weak, hearing from him will be a rarity. It is in the place of personal fellowship our hearts align with God. The secrets of God are revealed in the secret place only to those that are present in the secret place. Some are present in all church meetings and programs( though good) just to please their pastor or parents but their hearts aren't in alignment with God because they're far from God in the place of fellowship.
Another problem associated with weak fellowship is inability to recognize his voice or leading. My dad and his brothers have similar voices. Some persons may find it hard to distinguish who is speaking but for me, I don't have problem with that. I have lived with him for decades and related with his siblings to know who is who. The first line of James4:8 says, "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you". When you come close to God in fellowship, you'll recognize his voice. Don't be a stranger to your father.
Father, I receive the grace to draw closer to you in the place of fellowship in Jesus name.