13 Jul Series Six; Why Do We Find It SO Hard To Talk To God?
Hello Relevance Family!
We are so glad you could join us on the weekend for another amazing Sunday! We spent the afternoon worshipping and talking about the question: “Why do we find it so hard to talk to God?”
Our principle verse came from Isaiah 6. This is an incredible vision that the prophet Isaiah had of God sitting high on a lofty throne surrounded by seraphims – a type of fiery angelic being. These seraphims were flying around the throne shouting “Holy, Holy, Holy!” as they covered their eyes and their feet. “The whole earth is filled with His glory!” they proclaim.
Wow – goosebumps!!
You may have to read the full text and just close your eyes and try to image the wonder and majesty that the prophet Isaiah saw. Once he saw that, he was immediately drawn to his own sinfulness and acknowledged that he was a sinful man living amongst sinners. Even he as a prophet and holy man regarded himself as a sinner. Before a perfect and holy God, even our most righteous acts amount to nothing but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).
The chapter goes on to say: “Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my [Isaiah] lips with it and said, “See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are forgiven.””
When we get a glimpse of the holiness and beauty of God we may be tempted to run away because we see our own sinfulness and wretchedness in contrast to His holiness. This is how the prophet Isaiah felt. But God touched Isaiah and cleansed his lips and God does the same with us today. He knows we are sinners – each and everyone one of us – but He so desires a relationship with us that He cleanses us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is the death and resurrection of Jesus that removes our guilt and forgives our sins so that we may be free to stand in the presence of our holy God! The fiery coal is a picture of Jesus’ cleansing work on the cross.
We are not designed to, or in fact capable of, cleansing ourselves. God does this for us by His grace. Grace alone saves us and grace alone works in us as we are transformed to be more like our Father God.
As He saves us and transforms us, we become like the seraphims whose response to the majesty and holiness of God is worship. Then our hearts cry out “Father use me! Father send me!” because we want to use our lives to do His will for His glory.
Doing God’s will may seem scary at first. What does that look like? What if I don’t get my heart’s desires met? What if God takes me down a path I don’t like? What if I am not able to meet the challenges before me?
My friend – you will find that these questions are rapidly unraveled as you commune with Father God. He is a good Father who knows you better than you know yourself and who desires an intimate relationship with you. As you stand on the truth of who God is this truth will blast through the lies and you will soon find that as you do His will He fulfils your heart’s desire in ways that you couldn’t even have imagined yourself!
The truth is, your true desires are always embedded in His will.
God promises this in Jeremiah 29:11 (Message Bible) “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for! When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else. I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.”
When you stand on this promise and you know God’s character as a good and loving Father, your conversation just flows. You will not find it hard to talk to Him because you trust who He is and His plans for you. When we talk to God – when we pray – it is a two-way conversation where we listen to what He is saying and respond to Him. Prayer is coming with our needs, concerns, hurts, confusion and waiting on His word. Prayer is coming to Him for direction and waiting on His steering. Prayer is leaning into His heart and hearing the strategies of heaven and responding like Isaiah did saying: “God – here I am. Send me!”
Our prayer is as you see how much God loves you and respond to this love, your conversation and prayer with Him will flow and you will find yourself talking to Him like ever before!
Have a blessed week and see you on Sunday!
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