Truth Speaks Inwardly without the Sound of Words

Dream_of_St._Joseph_Anton_Raphael_Mengs_350-webFrom The Imitation of Christ, c. 1400

Speak, Lord, for Thy servant hears.” 1 Kings 3:9 “I am Thy servant. Give me understanding that I may know Thine ordinances Ps. 118:125 . . . Incline my heart to Thine ordinances Ps. 118:36 . . . Let Thy speech distil as the dew.” Deut. 32:2

The children of Israel once said to Moses: “Speak thou to us and we will hear thee: let not the Lord speak to us, lest we die.” Exod. 20:19

Not so, Lord, not so do I pray. Rather with Samuel the prophet I entreat humbly and earnestly: “Speak, Lord, for Thy servant hears you.” Do not let Moses or any of the prophets speak to me; but You speak, O Lord God, Who inspired and enlightened all the prophets; for You alone, without them, can instruct me perfectly, whereas they, without You, can do nothing. They, indeed, utter fine words, but they cannot impart the spirit. They do indeed speak beautifully, but if

They place before us mysteries, but You unlock their meaning.
You remain silent they cannot inflame the heart. They deliver the message; You lay bare the sense. They place before us mysteries, but You unlock their meaning. They proclaim commandments; You help us to keep them. They point out the way; You give strength for the journey. They work only outwardly; You instruct and enlighten our hearts. They water on the outside; You give the increase.

They cry out words; You give understanding to the hearer.

Let not Moses speak to me, therefore, but You, the Lord my God, everlasting truth, speak lest I die and prove barren if I am merely given outward advice and am not inflamed within; lest the word heard and not kept, known and not loved, believed and not obeyed, rise up in judgment against me.

Speak, therefore, Lord, for Your servant listens. “Thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:69

Speak to me for the comfort of my soul and for the amendment of my life, for Your praise, Your glory, and Your everlasting honor.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (spoken) word of Christ. Rom. 10:17

The Imitation of Christ is perhaps the most widely read devotional work next to the Bible and is regarded as a devotional and religious classic.

Comments

  1. The sword of the spirit is the active word of God. Truth is the revealed word to individuals. Both are armor to believe, meditate and pray. Truth is reproductive girt about. Sword is offensive weapon cutting away old and declaring the new thing by promise made and price paid.

  2. In October 2009, Christ spoke to me telling me to spread His message to pray for His return but few believe me.

    1. Author

      Patrick – Keep doing what He has told you to do. Make sure you are in faith and stay obedient. Many missionaries have toiled for years before a breakthrough. Press in to God even that much harder.

      Read the articles on this site about faith and obedience. Confess His word to make it real to your heart. Do all you can all the time that you can for as long as you can. God will bless you and the people. We love you and God loves you. Rex

      1. Thx for the encouraging words and heartfelt advice; it’s greatly appreciated!

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