Lord, please speak to me

My friend Jen shared this little cartoon narrative with me and there is so much truth in it. So many come to God with the same earnest plea “God speak to me!”  However, seem puzzled when advised to read the written word he had already given. 

On numerous occasion Jesus spoke that the Kingdom of Heaven is within you and from which he claimed having continuous communication with the father. 
 
Yet, when he gave the disciples instruction and insight, he didn’t bluntly say God told me this.  Instead, he referenced the scriptures and the prophets. Always intreging them with the words “haven’t you read from …??”, citing specific scripture. 

I am strongly convinced that he heard the voice of the father directly from the scriptures.  
Likewise, he wants us to hear his voice directly from the word of God as we prayerfully read it. The key is to keep scripture in the mind and to “think on it” or to “dwell on it”. You see, if you don’t take time to set your mind on what you have read, you will soon forget what you read.  I like to say that if you forgot in the evening what you have read in the morning, you haven’t reaped much benefit from it.  

Focusing on a specific piece of scripture and thinking it through allows you to step into a dialog conversation with it.  

Bind them always upon your heart; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you. (Pr. 6:21-22 BSB)
 
In a way, you begin comparing and exchanging your existing thoughts with the newly derived Biblical thoughts.  The Bible calls this process “reasoning”. As you reason you allow the holy spirit to show you something you haven’t seen there before.

 Come now, and let us reason together…(Is. 1:18 KJB)

Jesus chose three of his disciples and provided them with a visual demonstration of what “reasoning” and fellowship with God within looks like on the mount of transfiguration.  

…some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.  About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.  And as He was praying…Suddenly two men, Moses and Elijah, began talking with Jesus. They appeared in glory and spoke about His departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem… (Luke 9:27-31 BSB)
 

 A.W. Tozer once said "Probably there is no greater offense in all of Christendom then speed reading the Bible. The Bible must be read slowly and meditatively, allowing the Holy Spirit to open up our understanding. "  
 

SUPPORTING TEXT
 

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.  (Luke 24:15-16)