As far as the fireworks and lightning.....you absolutely would not want that. When God gave that to the children of Israel...they begged Moses to talk to God on their behalf, just as long as they didn't have to hear and see Him!
We look for a still small voice. That only comes through falling on your face faithfully and purposefully.
Let me just share something that I have learned about our God.
When you pray.........Regardless if you hear His actual voice, physically feel His gentle hand upon your shoulders when you pray or even actually smell a heavenly aroma.........
(that's usually something else!) Seek Him. Even if you sit in a room week after week and feel like you're speaking to concrete walls. You might feel that, but you are not.You are not for sure.
It could be a number of reasons why you don't "feel" His presence. You might not be giving Him you undivided attention....all kinds of thoughts swirling around in your mind.....He wants your thoughts. Maybe your thoughts aren't presentable to Him...He is holy. He desires your all to be holy too. Not just your thoughts....your eyes, what you hear, what and how you speak, the condition of your heart, what you let your hands do and where you guide you feet to go. He desires holiness in all of you. You are the temple that He resides in.
So how do you practically do that? Let me show you...... Purpose to go into His presence. I know you have a life. And right now, something else choses your schedule. But you must accommodate God first. I'm not talking about spending 5 hours in silent prayer and deep Bible study on Ecclesiastes!......I'm saying this....and what I'm going to tell you, you need to be careful....because God will take you up on it!
One thing you can do is to ask the Holy Spirit to wake you up at night for a prayer date. Even if it's 3:00a.m.
A date is a specific time to spend with a great friend. On this date with God, your purpose is just to praise Him....it's not a time to hunker down and do a Beth Moore Bible Study! It's a time, chosen by the Holy Spirit, to love on Him. It might only be for a very few minutes, and then crawl back into bed and go to sleep. Why? Because He is worthy of it.
How would you like it, if you had a friend that ALWAYS and only asked you for things. You never had any other aspect or dimension of this relationship. It was only that he asked and you gave. God is not a Jeannie in a Bible! He longs to hear you praise Him......especially in the lonely, fearful, draining times in your life. Cuz what you're saying to Him is, God I know I don't "feel" you, or even understand who I am.... and don't even need to right now......but I know who you are and I trust you. This will be the foundation of your relationship....Praise!
Read His word in your quiet time and let the word speak to you. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to open up the understanding of your heart. Great things to read in preparing your heart are:
Psalms 51 A prayer of repentance
Psalms 139 God's knowledge of man
Psalms 15 The character of those who may dwell with the Lord
Psalms 24 The King of Glory ( you know this one!!)
Psalms 27 Declaring your faith in Him
Psalms 25 Deliverance and Forgiveness
Psalms 119 David shows you how to purpose to do the things of God and shows His faithfulness!
Next:
Be still. I know you'll hate the next thing I tell you....but it's truth. Get up early, when no one is there. When you don't hear cars or birds outside. It will almost be like God is sitting downstairs on the couch waiting just for you. Get down on the floor and be still. Wait on Him. Just say, "I'm here Lord"
Silly? It may be for a bit. But Oh how you will move the heart of God.....and stir and shake up the pit of hell. Oh trust me on this one. It is your obedience that will move the heart God. Not your words. Not your talent. Your greatest gift is your obedience and humility. If you feel led to speak.....do. But make sure your doing most of the listening. Then go back to bed. But in those moments......make sure it's His time. Make sure that your heart is like the heart of little Samuel who said, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening"
Next:
Just read His word. This is sometimes so hard for believers....because they'll say, what should I read? What if I'm supposed to read one verse and I read the wrong one.... foooie! Study His word period! Read John, Matthew, 1,2Peter,1,2,3John.....just choose one....and truly rest in it and study it! Rest. Make a claim. Put your stakes down in it and study! Believe me......all the word is the tenderloin of the meat! You just can't lose!
It's an easy start to spend time with Him.....and I know you know it all...but just like Peter said in 1 Peter 1:12 "For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things though you know and are established in the present truth. Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you."
