​Having a hard time? Feeling trapped? The answer to our difficulty actually is simple. Not easy. Not something we do once and "poof" life is perfect. But the answer works, every time...every single time. It's not a formula but then again, maybe it is? It’s the same, but it is different. If you practice this, if this becomes your go-to in times of trouble, you will find relief. Interested?

John 8:31-32 If you abide in My word, you are truly my disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

What does this mean? Do we have to have a Bible with us all the time? Memorize it's contents? Be so spiritually minded we are no earthly good? No!

We are to ABIDE. This word has as its essence dwelling, enduring, persevering and standing fast. In other words, remain. Don't run from where you are. You can't outrun this trial.

His WORD is intelligence that may be unspoken as a thought in the mind. It involves giving place in our heart to hear His voice, His word, His heart.

So, in hard times, when you feel trapped by life. Stop! Don't run. Don't try to make it better on your own. You've likely already been trying and now find yourself stuck. Instead, take a breath. Allow your mind to turn from the overwhelming circumstance and consciously open your heart to Him. Listen for the unspoken word. This may take time. Don't give up. Don't loose hope for He speaks. He loves. He cares. Eventually you will find yourself free.

In the process of turning to Him and waiting upon Him, you will hear truth within your heart. His Spirit speaking truth to you. Truth for your life. Truth that transforms. Truth that will set your free.
I guess there really is a formula...

Our abiding + His truth = freedom
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However, we can't quantify the length of our abiding. We can't anticipate what truth we will receive. The formula is true. It works every time, but it is never the same - as it should be. The God who created each of us unique has a specific truth for each of us. A truth that in our time of need, will set us free.

Then…. and….Now
I decided against reading the Bible in one year. For me, it became about getting the reading done, some Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs and I missed truly engaging in what the Word was saying to me. I’d just get engaged and be moved to another section of Scripture. So, I’ve begun a very, very slow walk, savoring the delicacies of the Word as I go. I decided to begin in Hebrews. Why not, nice Jewish-believer that I am?
 
God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets. Hebrews 1:1

Interesting. I get no further than the first verse and my mind starts. I don’t know what it starts, but so it begins.

Things had changed. The author describes what “was”, how it used-to-be. Each of the prophets did not relay God’s message in the same manner. He is a God of diversity in communication. Different times and seasons called for different methods. Remember Isaiah who preached naked for 3 years? Yikes! Before anything happened God was speaking. His words preceded prosperity and plenty, disaster and destruction. Most of the Old Testament leaders had never heard God’s voice. They had to trust the prophet who spoke for God. Sometimes the prophet was not a true-prophet and the advice was not from God (remember Shemaiah who taught people to rebel against God?). Those God did speak to and through often bore a cost in their lives. They were outcasts, rejected and even killed.

There is now a different way. There must have been, as the writer eludes to "then" and is speaking to them "now". The writer goes on, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds (Heb 1:2). God was doing something differently. He had spoken to them personally, directly, as flesh and blood to the people of the day. Jesus was a transition. From…God spoke to the people through prophets to… God through Jesus speaking directly to people living in the day to clearly spell out the gospel of good news. Yet, I said this was only a transition. What did it transition to?

Today, it is the Holy Spirit who speaks. In Hebrews 3:7 we read, Today, if you will hear His voice…. The Holy Spirit whom is alive and living within us tells us that today – now – after the transition period we each, every day, all the time can hear His voice. Today it is up to you. Today, if you WILL hear His voice….

As New Testament believers we have a choice. God is speaking to us. First, the prophets, then Jesus and now God within as the Holy Spirit, Christ-in-us speaks, shares and encourages us. The question is, “WILL you quiet your mind? WILL you stop the busyness, WILL you rest that you may hear, and in the hearing know and in the knowing be restored to His rest? It is a question of your WILL.

As the fathers had to trust the prophet to speak accurately for God, so we have to trust the Spirit within. How can we trust if we do not know? How can we trust if we do not hear? There was a day of the prophets. There was a day of Jesus on the earth. There was a day of preachers telling us what to believe. But today, today IS a day of hearing for yourself, of knowing your God and of intimacy with the Creator of the world who lives within you and is always drawing you towards Him to heal, restore, encourage and bring peace and joy. WILL you join me in listening?