The Call of the Lord
Deep Calls to Deep"Deep calls to deep." Our Lord is a seeking God who is constantly searching for those who will respond 2 His desire for communion and fellowship ("Behold, I stand at the door, and knock..." Revelation 3:20).
Therefore, by "divine intent," we were created with the capacity t2 hear and respond 2 this desire of the Lord for fellowship and communion. As we respond in anticipation, we will be lifted into the realm in which we will be able t2say with David:
One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I
seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, 2 behold the beauty of the Lord, and 2 inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:4
If we truly desire 2 experience this higher realm of personal relationship with the Lord, in which our times of being set apart 2 enter into His presence become more important 2 us than all that we are attempting 2 do for Him, then the Lord will respond and begin the process of separating us 2 Himself.
...And Samuel was laid down 2 sleep; That the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, "Here am I." And he ran unto Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou calledst me." And he said, "I called not; lie down again." And he went and lay down. And the Lord called yet again, "Samuel." And Samuel arose and went 2 Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me." And he answered, "I called not, my son; lie down again." Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed 2 him. I Samuel 3:3-7
And the Lord called Samuel again the 3rd time. And he arose and went 2 Eli, and said, "Here am I; for thou didst call me." And Eli perceived that the Lord had called the child. Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, "Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, 'Speak, Lord; for Thy servant heareth.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place. And the Lord came, and stood, and called as at other times, "Samuel, Samuel." Then Samuel answered, "Speak; for Thy servant heareth." I Samuel 3:8-10
There was a learning process in which Samuel was brought 2 the place he could separate the voice of the Lord from other voices. We also must go through a similar time of preparation.
Understanding His Voice
"At the noise of Your waterspouts..." In the
initial stages of our being apprehended by the Lord, we are not yet able 2
understand His voice, nor do we have the understanding 2 rightly relate 2 His
dealings. Thus, this "seeking voice of the Lord" may seem 2 us as being a
"noise."The Lord so desires 2 hear from us, that although our response may sound 2 Him as being a "noise," He will continue 2 knock upon the door of our spirit until our response becomes a "song" of worship and love, and we are able 2 enter into His chambers 2 commune with Him.
Therefore, 2 bring us into the place where the Lord would have us, He must first reduce or remove all else from us, until we can enter the place where we have a single desire toward Him and are willing 2 trust the deep inner dealings and workings of the Holy Spirit.
Responding 2 the "Knock" on the Door of our Spirit
"All Your waves and Your billows are gone over
me." It is very difficult for us 2 come 2 this place of implicit trust
in responding 2 the presence of the Holy Spirit as the power of
"self-preservation" is very strong within each of us. Thus, there is a reward
for us 2 come 2 this place of reduction until the Lord becomes 2 us all in
all.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the
Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:3
Even when we make mistakes, if our heart attitude toward the Lord is right, He will continue 2 draw us 2 Himself, knowing that we will gradually come 2 understand His voice and ways. As a result, any seeming "noise" that we presently hear will become a song of rejoicing and worship.
This "song" that the Lord so desires 2 hear is unique 2 our personal life experience. No one else could ever sing this song, as they have not walked as we have. The Lord will look 2 us ("Deep calls...") as if we were the only person in the universe, for He greatly desires 2 hear this song.
We should thank our Lord quite often for His patience with us, in waiting for the song that He so desires 2 hear. This desire is so intense that He will continue 2 patiently wait.
When Adam failed the Lord in the Garden of Eden, he hid from His presence. It was the Lord who said, "Adam, where are u?" When Adam responded with his excuse (noise), the Lord took a step toward him, covering him with the skin of an animal, that their fellowship might be restored. This was the first blood sacrifice for sin. Adam and Eve are now covered "externally" and forgiven, but this must become an "inner" reality.
In the parable of the sower, Matthew chapter 13, the sower goes forth with "seed:"
"...Behold, a sower went forth to sow." Matthew 13:3
The Word tells us that this seed is the "Word of the Kingdom." As we rightly respond 2 produce "good soil," this seed will gradually develop, and the "noise" will have become a clear pathway that leads 2 the Kingdom.
He answered and said unto them, "Because it is given unto u 2 know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but 2 them it is not given." Matthew 13:11
All that we need do is 2 become quiet and listen and the Lord will direct us 2 Himself.
When we respond 2 this "knock" on the door of our spirit, we will be brought up into His presence where our life will become one with His, in communion and purpose.
"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in 2 him, and will sup with him, and he with Me..." After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in Heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter." And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in Heaven, and one sat on the throne. Revelation 3:20, 4:1-2
Notice that the "door" did not open until John "looked," which led him 2b seated with the Lord in His throne.
The Noise has Indeed Become a Song
To him that overcometh will I grant 2 sit with Me in
My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His
throne. Revelation 3:21One of our primary purposes in life should be 2 reflect the life and desire of the One who is seated upon His Throne, our Lord Jesus Christ. As we come into this identity in relationship with Him, we will be able 2 sing, "All your waves and billows are gone over me," as our life becomes lost in identity with His life.
Now, we have found the purpose for which we were created. Our song has merged into His song ("Deep calls 2 deep"), and they have become one. And, the noise has indeed become a song.
Wade E. Taylor
Wade Taylor Ministries
Email: wade@wadetaylor.org
