The Daily Word of Righteousness

Listening to Christ Before Working for Christ

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with {them}, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)

How can the Lord work with us unless we are doing what He desires? And how can we do what He desires unless we are hearing from Him?

There are times during our discipleship when we are to wait until we hear from the Lord.

We may observe that from the days of the Protestant Reformers there have been several major moves of the Spirit of God. Each move has been characterized by a return to godliness on the part of the believers, by worldwide evangelism, and by an increase in our understanding of the doctrine of the Apostles.

The twentieth century has witnessed the Pentecostal revival. There has been a renewal of interest in godly behavior, worldwide evangelism, and an increase in our understanding of the doctrine of the Apostles.

In the present hour we are being prepared for the greatest of all renewals—the climax of the latter-rain revival. There will be a revival of interest in godly behavior, worldwide evangelism, and an increase in our understanding of the doctrine of the Apostles as a result of this unprecedented outpouring.

There is a time to listen and then a time to work. To work during the hour of listening may produce some good, but there will not be the accompanying interest in righteousness; the work of evangelism will turn into that of proselyting; and there will be little unveiling of scriptural truth.

Today is an hour of listening. This does not mean we are not to continue in normal, necessary business but it does indicate we are to cease from planning endless programs and listen! listen! listen to what the Spirit is saying! It is a time for much prayer!

God is ready to move us past Pentecost to the last three feasts of the Lord: Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. We are to be listening. God is going to fulfill these convocations in His own manner. We are not to go out and attempt to stick the bones together. We are to prophesy the Word of the Lord to the bones. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this!

To wait on the Lord and listen for His voice is one of the most joyful, peaceful experiences of all. But to grind at the mill of kingdom building is to bring oneself to weariness, frustration, and discouragement.

What is God saying today? Do you know?

We open ourselves to the deceptions of the enemy when we are working for the Lord instead of abiding in the Lord and waiting on Him.

Is our church a sepulcher that is working for the Lord before it listens to Him? More to the point, is our personal ministry a sepulcher instead of a life-giving flow of water from the Throne of God?

If we would buy the truth we must pause frequently and listen to what God is saying. It is best to take nothing for granted. Remember Joshua and the Gibeonites! (from Buying the Truth)