Daily Devotion For April 27

Stop the Voices

When we lived in Mexico, my family and I found the Mexican way of life pretty easy going and there were few things that really irritated us. But one day it all changed quickly.

We needed to buy a few provisions, so we went to one of the big local stores. When we arrived we were in for a surprise. We were greeted to a cacophony of loud noise and mixed music.

It seemed that this particular day was one for promoting two different products. That was fine. You expect sellers to put up tables and let you taste their wares.

The only problem was that each seller had a loud speaker system that blared out some horrible music. And in between it someone spoke about their awesome product - also very loudly! I guess it was a way of attracting your attention as you walked past.

So you had the shop music playing in the background. Then on both sides of the shop were two people promoting their products, usually at the same time. And finally you had the loud music playing in between the speaking, all with completely different rhythms.

It was crazy, and it didn't actually attract me to anything. I wanted to run away and get out of the noise because I couldn't think straight. I needed some peace and quiet.

Well I know that it is not only in the natural world that you have so many voices trying to get your attention at the same time. It is the same in your spiritual life.

I'm sure that there are many times when you have wanted to hear the voice of the Lord. But at those times there were likely many other voices trying to talk at the same time.

Perhaps you have a problem even now that you need to look to the Lord for direction about. You pray about it and wait for His answer, but you have several other voices competing with Him.

Perhaps you think you should do one thing, but then you hear the voice of your mother saying it is a stupid idea. Or you have the enemy trying to lie to you and say that things are going to get worse.

Sometimes you may feel like you are in a tug of war and you have no peace. You feel like you are going in all different directions. The chances are also good that you will feel like I did in that shop. You will perhaps want to escape and get away from all the noise.

If you feel like that then you are heading in the right direction. You need to escape into a quiet place. Submit yourself to the Lord and resist the lies of the enemy. Then focus your spiritual eyes on the Lord and open your heart.

As you do this you will find those voices quieting down. You will feel the Lord's peace upon you, and you will be able to hear His voice more clearly again.

*****

I speak to any conflicting voices that would try to distract you right now and say you will be silent.

I thank you Lord that you can help us to shut out the other voices and to hear your voice more clearly.

*****

Today may you be able to focus on the Lord and hear His voice giving you direction and wisdom for the day.