We can learn some important things from men like Moses and Samuel about responding correctly to the call of the Lord. The first one is this: when you sense the Spirit’s call, go to God first and find out exactly what He wants you to do.

Don’t just jump out and come up with something on your own (like Moses did in his early days). Don’t just go talk to a friend about it (like Samuel did at first), or listen to another message, or read another book on the subject.

Draw near to the Lord. Get His wisdom by fellowshipping with Him.

We have scriptural precedent for that in the Gospel of Matthew. There, in chapter ten, we see Jesus so moved with compassion for the multitudes that He is about to give His disciples His own power and authority to minister to them. But first, Jesus called the disciples to Himself. That’s the way it always is with God. When He is ready to promote us to walk in higher places of power and authority, the first thing He does is call us to Himself.

It’s in our times of fellowship with Him that our calling takes definition. It’s in communion with Him that we receive the understanding and the grace to do what He wants us to do. Certainly, other believers can encourage us spiritually and stir us up. But we can only grasp our destiny by coming personally into the presence of the Lord again, and again, and again.

Unfortunately, some believers draw near to Him once or twice and then get discouraged. They seem to think they’re going to get a detailed description of their entire life’s plan from the Lord the very first day. But He doesn’t work like that.

The Lord works with us almost like an artist paints a picture. He begins by sketching a few broad strokes on the canvas of our hearts. Initially, we might not even know what those strokes mean. But every time we go back to Him, He adds a little more definition.

He takes His Holy Ghost paintbrush and adds a few more details until, eventually, He has painted within us the most beautiful picture we have ever seen.

Scripture Reading: Matthew 9:35–10:1

Source: Devotions for the Praying Heart by Lynne Hammond.
Excerpt permission granted by Lynne Hammond Ministries