When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking. (Ezek. 1:28)

MAKE SURE THE VOICE YOU TRUST is worthy of it. It’s only natural to settle for less than the ultimate authority when we are in a hurry to solve a problem or get permission to burst through certain roadblocks in our way. The truth about what we really need is clouded by our desire to quickly be rid of our issue. We are presented with many forms of advice, and many seem to be right to us.

There are times in our lives when, out of impatience, we neglect to examine the source of our counsel. Ezekiel’s appraisal of the image before him was correct. He carefully screened the vision, comparing it to the witness in his heart. He was so familiar with the manifestation of God’s glory that he confidently fell to worship Him and drank in the words he heard.

We are tempted every day to accept an imitation of God’s voice. Forgetting His awesome glory and powerful presence, familiar voices make more sense to us. When we take the time to worship Him, bowing to His authority in our lives, He reveals himself to us in a glorious, yet personal, way. Every distraction and unimportant noise melts away when we recognize His glory. This is when we can truly hear Him, and we are better able to obey.

Today, find a place where nothing else matters but God’s presence.

Jan Cline is an author, speaker, and founder and director of a Christian writers’ conference in the Northwest.

© 2017 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.