POWER THOUGHTS FOR

Chapter 9

An Exhortation from a True Intercessor

When God speaks, we have an obligation to hear and comply. According to Merriam-Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, to comply means “to do what you have been asked or ordered to do.” First Samuel 15:22 says, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”

In Song of Solomon 5:2-3, the bride is in bed asleep with the door latched when she hears a voice cry, “Open to me.” It is the bridegroom. She hears but she says, “I have washed my feet; how can I dirty them again?” She won’t be inconvenienced, which leads to separation and then torment.

In John 13:7-8, Jesus is washing the disciples’ feet when Peter questions His self-debasing action. Jesus responds, “What you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter reacts with, “Never shall you wash my feet!” Peter doesn’t hear.

In Revelation 3:19-20, the lukewarm Laodicean church is told to repent. Jesus says to them, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.”

In all three passages of Scripture, God is saying to hear and (be) open to Him.

The LOGOS of God, the two-edged sword of Hebrews 4:12, is the written Word of God. The sword of the Spirit, which is the RHEMA of God (see Ephesians 6:17), is the utterance from God. We need both sides for balance through fullness.

—JANE CHERNEY