A close friend with whom I meet regularly for prayer and accountability sent me this photo of a page from Oswald Chambers’ MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST: on June 18,2022:
I shared it in a social media group with this post:
“This Oswald Chambers Devo speaks to some of our discussions…..” Our online group was doing an online summer bookclub of Ivan Filby’s LIVESTREAM.
One group member replied, “Thank you for sharing. That last paragraph is one I needed. I was in a class recently about listening for God’s voice …… and instructor said to ‘always have 3 others give you advice on every message you receive from God.’ If you’re regularly receiving things from God, you KNOW his voice.”
I agreed. If one seeks out 3 confirming opinions among other people, are they merely seeking a self-affirming consensus among men and relief from the consequences to others or burden to oneself of obedience and not the will of God? If 2 or 3 witnesses are required to render a judgment in a Jewish court of law, is seeking 3 opinions not the same as putting action called for by God to a vote, requiring a super majority instead of simply obeying God?
The group member added, “That’s pretty much my same response. One thing I learned in that class was to listen to God, I know his voice already. Confirmation or affirmation by men (or women) are not what we are called to do. And the chance to do what God has called us for diminishes with the delay.”
Another observed, ““Amateur” providences” is one of the most enlightening concepts.”
My reply: “Regarding “amateur providences”- Rather than stewarding the resources and will of God for the good of His Kingdom under obedience to His instruction and recognizing His authority to direct their use according to His wisdom, do we co-opt and possess His resources in a way that serves our own ends? Do we treat God’s treasure, including His Word to His people, as though they are our own “project” and “product”? Jesus told several parables about such wicked stewards…. those who tended The Master’s vineyard and those in whose trust He placed portions of His wealth, expecting it to be used to bring gain. Do we withhold His Word, His treasure, His provision, His resources from others so that our judgment of what others need is carried out rather than God’s opinion of what they need? Does our own desire to help or protect another or avoid offending actually violate God’s will and work in another’s life?”
Today, almost a year later, God is using this message, once again, to speak into my life about some specific situations involving stewardship of His Word and in His kingdom.