In a world that is filled with an increasing amount of noise, it gets harder and harder to hear what is important.
The world has always experienced catastrophe, but in our media-laden, techno-connected lives we now have the privilege of knowing about every catastrophe, anywhere, as soon as it happens. Also every unjust plight, every instance of unusual criminal activity, and every scandal involving persons of note.
This could be a good thing if the media used it to promote the good that goes on in the world, but they don’t. Occasionally they give a nod to someone who did something positive, but the lion’s share of what is broadcast is negative. This, naturally, has a negative impact on our emotional well being.
It is a good thing to have factual information on which to base our opinions. But we should never turn our brains over to the media or worldly pundits and say, “Just tell me what to think.”
As Christians, we have only one great authority. Only one source of true wisdom. But God does not have a multi-media talk show. God does not tweet His wisdom to us. Nor does He speak to us in thunderous tones. The voice of God is, as the original Hebrew put it “the whisper of silence”. To hear God speak, we must shut out the clamoring noise of the world and focus on hearing God speak through His Holy Word. You could say that God does send us text messages: through the Bible.
When a child of God gets quiet with The Word of God, the Holy Spirit uses what we read to speak to us. A passage we have read a hundred times may suddenly have fresh revelation because of a situation in our life. When that happens, focus on that passage: follow up on it. If your Bible has cross references, follow those for a more complete understanding of what is being said. Study that passage and let the wisdom of God flow into you.
To those of the world, the Bible is foolishness. Isaiah 55:8 says “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.” (NKJV) and 1 Corinthians 3:19 says “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, ‘He catches the wise in their own craftiness'” (NKJV). Those who deny God cannot understand God. Those who follow Him come to understanding through seeking Him diligently. That seeking is done through the Bible by becoming quiet so you can hear what is important.
