Promise for Today - They All Heard Something

[Jesus speaking] Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.' Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” When the crowd heard the voice, some thought it was thunder, while others declared an angel had spoken to him. Then Jesus told them, “The voice was for your benefit, not mine."
John 12:27-30 NLT

Jesus knew He was going to be crucified. He had time to think about it. He knew what was coming. How? Because He knew the voice of God. He was "deeply troubled" and yet He prayed for God to be glorified by His willing obedience. Why? Again, because He knew the voice of God! He wasn't wondering IF it was God or if it was God's will, He KNEW.

Do we spend enough time with God to know His voice? The thing about this particular passage is that they ALL heard the voice of God, but how many recognized it? Some thought it was thunder...

What if - during whatever our trial - our path crosses with someone who never met Christ? Someone we would never have met otherwise. Would they want to hear about our Lord and Savior because of how we respond to Him in the middle of our affliction, or would they give us a 'No, thanks' because all they're hearing from us is thunder and grumbling?

The question on my mind is 'How often do we pray to be delivered from the very thing that serves God's purpose?' It's human nature to want to avoid pain and suffering. Jesus prayed for it in Matthew 26:30, "He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, 'My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not mine.' ”   Your will, Father, not mine.  Be glorified...

The writer of Proverbs tells us, "Ears to hear and eyes to see— both are gifts from the Lord" (Proverbs 20:12 NLT). 

Prayer:

Father,
          Of all Your many blessings that You bestow on us, please, God, give us ears to hear and eyes to see. And a mouth to speak only Your praise and what You would have us to say. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen