Preparing Our Hearts for Divine Inspiration

 

Summary

In the narrative of Elisha's encounter with the minstrel, we find a profound lesson on the necessity of preparing our hearts and minds to receive divine inspiration. Elisha, a prophet of God, found himself in a state of agitation and unrest due to the presence of Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel. This emotional turmoil rendered him unfit to prophesy until he called for a minstrel to play music, which calmed his spirit and allowed the hand of the Lord to come upon him. This incident teaches us the importance of creating an environment conducive to spiritual receptivity.

Just as Elisha used music to soothe his spirit, we too must identify and utilize means that help us quiet our minds and open our hearts to God's voice. Whether it be through music, scripture, prayer, or fellowship, these practices can help us overcome the distractions and disturbances that hinder our spiritual focus. The story of Elisha reminds us that while we cannot control the movement of the Holy Spirit, we can prepare ourselves to be ready vessels for His work.

Moreover, this narrative encourages us to be proactive in seeking God's presence, especially when we feel spiritually dry or distant. It is a call to action, urging us to engage in practices that draw us closer to God and make us more attuned to His guidance. Whether we are seasoned believers or seekers of faith, the lesson remains the same: we must actively pursue the conditions that allow us to experience the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. Spiritual Readiness: Elisha's need for a minstrel highlights the importance of preparing our hearts to receive God's word. Just as music calmed Elisha, we must find what helps us quiet our minds and open our hearts to divine inspiration. This preparation is crucial for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth. [03:52]

2. Overcoming Hindrances: Like Elisha, we face distractions and emotional turmoil that can hinder our spiritual focus. Identifying and addressing these hindrances, whether through music, prayer, or scripture, is essential for maintaining a clear channel for God's voice. [05:02]

3. The Power of Music and Scripture: Music and scripture are powerful tools for calming our spirits and aligning our hearts with God's will. They can transform our emotional state and prepare us to receive divine guidance, as seen in Elisha's experience. [15:19]

4. Proactive Spiritual Pursuit: We must actively seek God's presence, especially in times of spiritual dryness. Engaging in practices that draw us closer to God, such as prayer and fellowship, helps us remain spiritually vibrant and receptive to His guidance. [23:47]

5. Faith and Action: While faith is essential, taking practical steps to prepare ourselves for God's work is equally important. Elisha's call for a minstrel teaches us that faith and action go hand in hand in our spiritual journey. [26:05]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to Elisha's Story
- [00:28] - The Need for Divine Inspiration
- [00:57] - The Spirit's Sovereign Work
- [01:33] - Elisha's Restful Mind
- [02:22] - The Role of the Minstrel
- [03:52] - Lessons for Serving God
- [05:02] - Overcoming Spiritual Hindrances
- [07:11] - Finding Calm Amidst Chaos
- [12:27] - Practical Means for Spiritual Readiness
- [15:19] - The Power of Music and Scripture
- [23:47] - Proactive Spiritual Pursuit
- [26:05] - Faith and Action
- [31:08] - Seeking Christ with Earnestness
- [45:49] - Conclusion and Benediction

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- 2 Kings 3:15
- 1 Samuel 10:5-6
- Colossians 3:16

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#### Observation Questions
1. What was Elisha's emotional state before he called for the minstrel, and how did it affect his ability to prophesy? ([02:22])
2. How did the presence of Jehoram, the son of Ahab and Jezebel, impact Elisha's spirit and readiness to receive God's word? ([05:38])
3. What role did music play in Elisha's preparation to receive divine inspiration? ([03:02])
4. According to the sermon, what are some modern-day equivalents to the minstrel that can help us prepare our hearts for God's work? ([12:27])

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the story of Elisha and the minstrel illustrate the importance of creating a conducive environment for spiritual receptivity? ([03:52])
2. In what ways can music and scripture serve as tools for overcoming emotional turmoil and distractions in our spiritual lives? ([15:19])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between faith and action in preparing ourselves for God's work? ([26:05])
4. How can believers proactively seek God's presence during times of spiritual dryness, according to the sermon? ([23:47])

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually dry or distant. What practical steps did you take, or could you take, to draw closer to God? ([23:47])
2. Identify a specific distraction or emotional turmoil in your life that hinders your spiritual focus. What steps can you take to address it this week? ([05:02])
3. Music played a significant role in calming Elisha's spirit. Is there a particular song or scripture that helps you feel more connected to God? How can you incorporate it into your daily routine? ([15:19])
4. Consider the environments you find yourself in regularly. How can you make them more conducive to spiritual growth and receptivity? ([03:52])
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being proactive in seeking God's presence. What is one new spiritual practice you can start this week to enhance your spiritual readiness? ([23:47])
6. How can you balance faith and action in your spiritual journey, ensuring that you are both trusting in God and taking practical steps to prepare for His work? ([26:05])
7. Think of a time when you felt unfit for a spiritual task due to emotional unrest. What did you learn from that experience, and how can it inform your future approach to similar situations? ([02:22])

Devotional

Day 1: Preparing Our Hearts for Divine Inspiration
In the story of Elisha and the minstrel, we learn the importance of preparing our hearts and minds to receive divine inspiration. Elisha, a prophet, was in a state of emotional unrest due to the presence of Jehoram, which hindered his ability to prophesy. It was only when a minstrel played music that Elisha's spirit was calmed, allowing the hand of the Lord to come upon him. This teaches us that creating an environment conducive to spiritual receptivity is crucial. We must find what helps us quiet our minds and open our hearts to God's voice, whether it be through music, scripture, prayer, or fellowship. This preparation is essential for effective ministry and personal spiritual growth. [03:52]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: What specific practice can you incorporate into your daily routine to prepare your heart for God's inspiration today?


Day 2: Overcoming Spiritual Hindrances
Like Elisha, we often face distractions and emotional turmoil that can hinder our spiritual focus. These hindrances can come in many forms, such as stress, anxiety, or external noise. Identifying and addressing these obstacles is essential for maintaining a clear channel for God's voice. Elisha's experience with the minstrel shows us that music, prayer, and scripture can be powerful tools to overcome these challenges. By intentionally creating moments of stillness and reflection, we can better position ourselves to hear from God and receive His guidance. [05:02]

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22, ESV)

Reflection: What is one distraction or emotional hindrance you can address today to improve your spiritual focus?


Day 3: The Transformative Power of Music and Scripture
Music and scripture have the power to transform our emotional state and align our hearts with God's will. In Elisha's story, the minstrel's music calmed his spirit, allowing him to receive divine guidance. Similarly, immersing ourselves in scripture and worship can help us connect with God on a deeper level. These practices can soothe our souls, provide clarity, and prepare us to receive God's word. By regularly engaging with music and scripture, we can cultivate a heart that is receptive to the Holy Spirit's leading. [15:19]

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate music and scripture into your daily routine to enhance your spiritual receptivity?


Day 4: Proactive Spiritual Pursuit
We are encouraged to be proactive in seeking God's presence, especially during times of spiritual dryness. Elisha's story is a call to action, urging us to engage in practices that draw us closer to God and make us more attuned to His guidance. Whether through prayer, fellowship, or other spiritual disciplines, we must actively pursue the conditions that allow us to experience the fullness of God's presence and power in our lives. This proactive approach helps us remain spiritually vibrant and receptive to His guidance. [23:47]

"Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!" (1 Chronicles 16:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one proactive step you can take today to seek God's presence more earnestly?


Day 5: Faith and Action in Our Spiritual Journey
While faith is essential, taking practical steps to prepare ourselves for God's work is equally important. Elisha's call for a minstrel teaches us that faith and action go hand in hand in our spiritual journey. We must not only believe in God's power but also actively create an environment where His presence can be felt. By combining faith with intentional actions, we can become ready vessels for His work and experience the transformative power of His guidance in our lives. [26:05]

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." (James 1:22, ESV)

Reflection: What practical step can you take today to align your actions with your faith in your spiritual journey?

Quotes



Elisha had noticed that the spirit of god acted upon him most frequently when his mind was restful and subdued. He found himself best prepared for the heavenly voice when the noise within his soul was hushed and every disturbing emotion was quieted. [00:01:27]

Elisha acted rightly and bravely when he saw Jehoram coming to him for help. He challenged him thus: What have I to do with thee? Get thee to the prophets of thy father and to the prophets of thy mother. [00:06:20]

Do you not occasionally find yourself in an unhappy position? You have to preach or to teach a class in school or to carry an edifying word to a sick person, but everything distracts you. What with noise or domestic trouble or sinful neighbors or the railing words of some wicked man, you cannot get into a fit frame of mind. [00:07:15]

If you and I are out of order, we must do our best to get right. If I go to do the Lord's work with a vexed or distracted mind, I shall do it badly. Perhaps I shall do more harm than good. I shall spill the cup of consolation if I'm all in a tremble myself. [00:13:01]

Occasionally we are quite out of form. We cannot think or feel or speak aright. We have to confess that we are all in confusion, and what is worse, we dare not even expect God to come and help us till we are in a less excited condition. [00:13:30]

When we feel ourselves cumbered with much serving, we shall act discreetly if we pause in it and take Mary's place for a while at least and sit at Jesus' feet. Or if the service must be done at once, it will be well to use the readiest means for preparing the mind for doing it. [00:12:05]

If you cannot feel that the spirit of God will bless you as you are, call for some minstrel who may aid you in your search after the blessing. If there be any subordinate means which may be useful, use it with a view to the higher and better thing. [00:26:03]

If you want to feel the hand of the Lord, I would next say, go and hear a sound, earnest, lively preacher. I'm advising you to do as I acted myself. I was muddled and could not exercise faith, and so I resolved to obey that other precept: hear and your soul shall live. [00:27:11]

If you want music, there is a yet sweeter store. Go fetch a minstrel from Calvary. Commend me for sweetness to the music of the cross. At Calvary, I hear one piece of music set to the minor key, which has bred more joy beneath the skies than all else. [00:44:13]

The doctrine of election is noble music. Predestination is a glorious hallelujah. Grace abounding, love victorious, truth unchanging, faithfulness invincible—these are melodies such as my ear delights in. The truth of God is fit music for angels. [00:42:48]

If you want a minstrel, think of your sin, your sin against your God till it breaks your heart. Then think of Christ, his nature, his work, his love, his deeds of mercy. Think of the Holy Spirit and his power to renew, regenerate, comfort, sanctify. [00:29:50]

If you are much perplexed, read that blessed chapter which begins, let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. Those verses act like a charm upon many minds. Many and many a time a storm has subsided into a calm by the reading of those words. [00:17:58]

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Transcript
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