Obeying that Small Voice

Have you ever had a thought or feeling that you should do or say something but for whatever reason you decide not to? Then, later you discover that had you followed the thought you would have gained or prevented something from happening.  I’m sure it happens to all of us at some point in our lives.  We have probably missed blessings because of our disobedience to that small voice. Often that small voice is the voice of the Holy Spirit providing guidance for us and when we reject Him we lose.  In the parable where Jesus feeds the multitude, John 6:1-13, He tells the disciples to have the people sit down.  Then he blesses the food and distributes it to those who were seated.   

In this well-known passage, Jesus performs a miracle by feeding over 5000 people with only five small loaves of bread and two small fish.  This scripture is often used to remind people that God will provide and that He can take dismal circumstances and richly bless us through them.  I whole-hardheartedly agree that God is our provider and He will take care of us.  Even though this is a prime focus of this passage, I want to draw your attention to verses 10-11 of this passage.

¹⁰ Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). ¹¹ Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.

Notice, before Jesus distributed the food, He ordered the people to sit down on the grass.  After giving thanks, Jesus then passed out the food to those who were seated.  I believe this is a key point in the passage. Could it be that there were those who did not follow the command?  Could it be that those who refused to sit missed a blessing because they refused to obey?  In this passage those who heard and obeyed received.  If we want to receive what God has for us, then we need to be attentive to His voice and obedient to His word. 

A few years ago, while traveling to Atlanta with a friend to celebrate my birthday, I had a strong urge to tell my friend to slow down.  But, I ignored the feeling and approximately ten minutes later, we got pulled over by a law enforcement officer and given a speeding ticket.  As a result of the ticket, my friend was unhappy and now had to pay a $300 fine.  Let’s just say it was not a good way to start my birthday celebration.  This is a prime example of how disobeying the Spirit of God can have negative consequences.  If I had listened to the Holy Spirit’s direction, my friend may have not received a speeding ticket; and it would not have put a damper on the start of my birthday celebration. 

Yes, God is the ultimate provider.  Yes, He has good plans for you to prosper and have a future and hope.  Yes, He is sovereign and loves us unconditionally.  However, we cannot just expect God to move in our lives if we are not being obedient to His instruction.  In Luke 6:46, Jesus asks “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord and not do what I say?”  See, we can pray to God.  Yet, we also need to be attentive to His voice and not only hear what He says, but do what He says as well.  Only then, will we begin to experience the overflow of blessings God has for us.