Proverbs 4:1 “hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight”
There are places we go in life where we feel like we can hear from God with more clarity. It can be a mood, a setting, an activity or even a physical place.
There is a place in Scotland near Loch Etive called Ardchattan Priory. It sits just by the single track road along the shoreline. Here the main building sits. It’s steeped in history and is well preserved. Even the ruined parts have been restored so they can be enjoyed.
High up above the Priory in the hills, well hidden, but with a look-out down the loch and out to the Atlantic Ocean is the 13th Century Chapel. In the event of raiders appearing on the horizon, the population of the Priory would retreat up to this hidden building for safety until the danger was gone. Many nobles and locals are buried around this lonely chapel, and there is a well of fresh water hidden close by.
This building is a true ruin, broken down, trees growing through the walls and headstones leaning at odd angles as the wear of time has fashioned them.
I was drawn to this place of history, drama, and peace. I could sit up there for hours in silence, waiting for my father’s voice. It was hard to leave at times, I would delay, and delay. I sensed the closeness of God and would often hear his whisper when I was there. Maybe it was the history, the thought of all the songs sung and prayers prayed for hundreds of years, maybe it was the loneliness and isolation of the place, or maybe the idea of safety for these poor inhabitants from seven hundred years ago. Whatever it was, I heard my father’s voice there, encouraging, correcting and challenging, and so was drawn back time after time.
Where is your secret place?
KNOWLEDGE
The writer has covered this ground before. This is a timely reminder that the heart behind the writing has a relational emphasis.
There is a responsibility that lies with us the listener, to bring our intentionality, to recognise our interdependence, and to listen willingly to all instruction. There are without doubt areas of our life that will need to change, that will need to develop and that will need to soften – it’s not an easy road. We need a certain gentle relentlessness in our approach. All we need is there for the taking, it’s visible, it’s heard and it’s ready to be acquired. There is the possibility for a perfect understanding of what God is showing us, and with that recognition, comes repentance and restoration – leading to a revolution in our relationships and change in our character. God has made all this readily available.
UNDERSTANDING
Let’s pick one word from this verse to look closer at and see if that can help us gain a deeper insight into how God would love us to live?
The word for “attentive” in Hebrew is pronounced “qasah” and appears 46 times in the Old Testament. It is translated into the following words in English in the ESV, listen; attention; incline; heeded; and, hear. In Chapter four verse one the meaning leans in to “give heed” to “listen well”.
WISDOM: how intentional are you are approaching the word of God for correction?
STRENGTHS THOUGHT: Learner stays open to change and pushes through fear. Be careful to move past information to the application.
Allan’s Unauthorised Version – [use your intelligence to listen with the pre-decided intention to obey just as a loving son remains open to his father’s correction and chastisement. Pay close attention and be continually seeking discernment, understanding, and the wisdom of great responses, to God’s leading.]
PRAYER: Father, thank you for today. Help me please to remember in the busyness of life how valuable and vital your words are. Thank you!
I so love feedback – please do scroll down and use a few moments to bless me?
It is our responsibility to be intentional and lean in to what God has to say to us. The prompting of the Holy Spirit is sacred and precious, but we have to make room and space for that and not be too cluttered. Prompts of being used by God to encourage or help one of His children or someone who is lost; if we have too much noise, we will miss out. I don’t want to miss the God opportunities xx
There is so much to take from this post Allan…. it’s gold. I love this part… ‘There is the possibility for a perfect understanding of what God is showing us, and with that recognition, comes repentance and restoration – leading to a revolution in our relationships and change in our character’…. that if we are intentional and willing, we will recognise the hand and voice of God, and with this there is so much opportunity for us to see meaningful change in our lives.
We are further challenged though, with your strengths thought to actually move from the hearing, through the fear and into the application. So often we hear and know the voice of God but it is our fear that stops us … and when we stop at the hearing and are too afraid to apply, our opportunities for restoration, for revolution, for change are often lost.
So good!
Love the wisdom thought – how intentional are you are approaching the word of God for correction?
Thank you for the reminder and significance of being intentional in this area.
My quiet place is an empty house or by the sea, just to seat and feel the presence of God wash over me. To hear His sweet voice speak to me. Always to seek His face and wisdom deep within my heart and act on it. God is awesome.
Thank you pastor Allan
It’s a father and son journey.
The father will only do what is best for his son. That’s why it is important to shut up, listen well and obey.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
If we do love the Lord, we will obey all His comments, practise His teaching and what pleases Him. Constantly hearing His voice and His guidance to live our life for His purpose and His glory. Amen
Why do we so often struggle with the notion that our Heavenly Father corrects in love. It is yet another expression of His deep committed unfailing love to us.
I know for me trust is involved. Trust in knowing that when He corrects He has not withdrawn His love from me, quite the contrary. He yet agin is reaching out in His great love for me . When I’ve been on the receiving side of Gods correction I tell myself He is setting me up to thrive in life. In this moment He continues to cheer me on.
After all He desires we all intentionally move closer to Him and His ways.
Absolutely love when I sit and wait on His voice, and He transitions me out of wrong thoughts and directs me with a strong hand. Not ours but His will be done.
“Be careful to move past information to application” This caught my attention because for me information can be overwhelming or not. It’s important to know before I leap to apply the information but this line says “be careful to move past the information to application”. I am of the mindset of always processing information before I apply it. God’s words of course are always for my benefit and all good things are from Him. Thank you Pastor Allan it’s so thought provoking and interesting……blessings.
This is so encouraging and a great reminder. Thanks Ps Allan.
So important to have our quite place and to hear from our Father. I got really encouraged by how you said it was hard to leave at times, I would delay, and delay.
I really love Allan’s Unauthorised Version – use your intelligence to listen with the
pre-decided intention to obey just as a loving son remains open to his father’s correction and chastisement.
So much Gold to ponder on! Thank you
Such a necessary prayer, Amen ! Thanks Allan
Thank you Pastor Allan as we start out on Chapter 4!!
Our Heavenly Father wants the very best for me & so is exhorting me to be intentional about spending time away from the noises busyness & distractions that crowd my life in many ways on a daily basis. It’s often a battle to guard my time so I can go to my quiet place & hear the still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit as my teacher comforter & guide. Hearing & intently listening as I block out my own thoughts often takes time & discipline but is always so rewarding. If I want my life to flourish & be of service to Him I depend on hearing God’s voice of instruction encouragement & at times correction. There is much said today about decluttering our homes & this is something I need to look at from a physical & spiritual sense to make sure my spiritual life takes priority so I can gain the necessary insight & understanding from God’s Word & prayer to enabke me to apply & fulfil His purposes & plan for my life.
Yes,there truly is a responsibility within us to listen to his instruction.
Areas of our lives that need change and development..there lies our interdependence in God to mould us to who he has called us to be.
Pastor Alan, I really try to hold to your words and think what was actually going 700 years ago, what was people dress like, and how they worshipped there, and I bet it has a great history with the local people 👍🏾.
Amen! Thank you Ps Allan.
I agree that there are without doubt areas in our lives that needs change to develop and to soften – but always, not a easy road for many
There is the possibility for a perfect understanding of what God is showing us. He cares and loves us all.
A beautiful word Allan. Seeking the lord for correction and applying that to my life is a word I felt said today. My quiet place is the time my family are all out and I have time with the lord in my home .
Paying close attention to gain understanding from the lords instruction. His instruction is for our good and betterment and he knows the ways of the world therefore the lord calls his children to follow his instruction For understanding Amen . Beautiful Lord Thank you
In my secret place,( the Mangroves in Olympic Park), I listen to my Father’s voice as He gently chastises me and guides me forward, moulding and shaping me into the person He wants me to be.
In every situation in our daily life, we need to rely on His instruction , which never fails.
A beautiful message, Pastor Allan.
Thank you Allen for making all of the things you talk about so easy to follow The learner listening willingly
My secret place (which has to remain secret or it wouldn’t be secret)
Is a place where I have indeed been intentional approaching god
And there have been clear messages heard
I have pushed and am continuing to push through the fear …… the fear can be disabilitating at times but god has pulled Me through
I do feel I have softened through the process and it’s all down to gods love and perseverance