February 11th, 2026 HRBC Devotion

Bible Verse
'These all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.' - Acts 1:13-14

In our hyperconnected world, silence has become a rare commodity. Our phones buzz constantly, our calendars overflow with commitments, and our minds race from one task to another. We've become so accustomed to noise and busyness that we've forgotten how to be still and listen. Yet God often speaks in whispers, not shouts. He desires to communicate with us, but His voice can be drowned out by the chaos of our cluttered lives. Like trying to have a meaningful conversation in a crowded, noisy restaurant, we struggle to hear Him when our minds are filled with distractions.

The believers at Antioch understood the importance of creating space to hear from God. They engaged in worship, fasting, and prayer - practices that required them to slow down, quiet their hearts, and focus their attention on the Lord. It was in this posture of listening that the Holy Spirit spoke to them about sending Barnabas and Saul. Creating margins in our lives isn't about being lazy or unproductive. It's about recognizing that our relationship with God requires intentional time and space. Just as we wouldn't expect to maintain close friendships without spending quality time together, we can't expect to hear from God if we never create opportunities to listen.

What would it look like for you to declutter your schedule and create sacred space for God to speak? Perhaps it's waking up fifteen minutes earlier for quiet prayer, taking a walk without your phone, or setting aside time for fasting and reflection.

Reflection Question:
What distractions or busyness in your life might be preventing you from hearing God's voice clearly?

Quote:
Maybe one reason we have a difficult. We have difficulty in hearing from God. Maybe it's because our minds are so cluttered, we don't have room to hear from God.
- Dr. Gregory Batchelor

Prayer:
Lord, help me create margins in my life where I can hear Your voice. Teach me to value stillness and silence as opportunities to connect with You. Give me the discipline to declutter my schedule and prioritize time with You above the urgent demands of daily life. Amen.