THE Voice from Heaven

There are times when men tire of hearing other men speak, especially in seasons of sorrow and perplexity, and in seasons when hirelings, wolves and men that just err too much add to such things. It is then we can come back to the source and to the great simplicity that belongs to hearing only Jesus:

Matt 17v5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!”

Going back to the source means that we can be sure that He is the one that is leading and guiding us at that current moment in our lives. That is the place where, if we have lost confidence in men and in doctrines that abound, we can return to what really matters. At that point in time Peter was suggesting that they stay on the mountain where Jesus had been revealed in His glory, but God redirected his and the other disciples attention to what really mattered- not putting man's direction ahead of what He wanted, because sometimes what men want and how they lead (even with the best of intentions), is not what the Father wants at that point in time. In hearing Jesus, the disciples found their source of life and their spiritual safety, and knew that in hearing Him, they would follow where He led (not where Peter wanted to be, and not what he wanted to do!). At that moment in time they received a great lesson as to where their PRIMARY attention should be (and that all other counsels should be submitted to the highest and purest counsel- His living and written Word).

Sometimes God even interrupts the words of men to make sure that He can speak directly to us! Notice in the scripture above that it says 'While he was still speaking' (talking about Peter)- 'a bright cloud covered them'. God always has something important to say to us, and even if men are really not giving us the best advice and teaching, He ensures that those things won't do us damage or lead us astray by speaking directly to us! (and pulling us aside from erring counsels and erring words). All we have to do is to open the Word and learn of Him, it's never changed! His life and His words will do all that is necessary for us. Even though God is not always impressed with what men are saying, God is always well pleased with what the Son is saying, and we should be too.