The voice of God can come in many forms. According to the Scriptures God speaks in an audible voice, God speaks through angels, God speaks through dreams and visions, God speaks through prophecy given by a man or woman of God, God speaks through the Word of God, and in several other ways. Many people want to know how to hear God’s voice. They want to be taught the technique, the ritual, or the steps they need to follow in order to achieve this feat.
Some believe that to hear from God one must pray for hours and hours in a ritualistic fashion, or follow a set of religious legalisms in order to accomplish this. Then there are also those who believe that everybody hears from God no matter what they do. Jesus said; “My sheep know My voice, and I know them and they follow Me” (John 10:27). Jesus spoke this to His doubters, the religious leaders of the time, who asked Him if He was the Christ, the Messiah, to which He replied; “I already told you but you did not believe Me because you are not of My sheep.”
God’s Sheep
To Jesus, the Shepherd, we are His sheep. A shepherd always looks out for the best interest of his sheep. He feeds them, protects them, watches over them, and cares for them. Without a shepherd to watch over them, a flock of sheep will get lost, injured, or attacked; but under the watchful eye of a shepherd the flock can be at peace. To become one of Jesus’ sheep we must first know Him, and receive Him into our hearts.
God’s Audible Voice
In the Scriptures we see that God speaks in several ways. First and most unique is His audible voice. God spoke to Moses audibly, as well as to Jesus, and the Apostle Paul. When God revealed Himself to Moses it was through a burning bush experience, where Moses encountered God’s presence and then heard God speak to him (Exodus 3). When Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River, God the Father spoke audibly and said; “This is My Son in whom I am well pleased (Mark 1:9-11). This happened again at the Mt. of transfiguration in front of Peter, James, & John (Matthew 17:1-7).
The Apostle Paul heard the audible voice of God when he was still Saul of Tarus and a large flash appeared as bright as the sun, and God spoke to him; “Saul, Saul, why do you continue to persecute Me? It is dangerous and turns out badly for you to keep kicking against the goads” (Acts 26:14 Amplified). In these examples God was speaking to very important spiritual leaders whom He had appointed, called for His purposes, and placed in an office of ministry to lead His people during very important times during biblical and Church history. Though most will never hear from God in this fashion, it does not mean that He won’t speak to you in another way.
God’s Still Small Voice
In the book of 1 Kings Elijah was running for his life from an evil Queen named Jezebel who wanted him dead for serving God and destroying the idol worship in the land. In Chapter 19 verses 11-13 it says; “Then He (God) said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”
In this Scriptural example we see that God was speaking to His servant Elijah in a still small voice. According to the Scriptures God does communicate through whirlwinds (Job 38:1, Psalm 77:18), earthquakes (Exodus 19:18), thunder (1 Samuel 2:10, Job 37:2, Psalm 77:18, Psalm 104:7, John 12:29), and fire (Exodus 3); but in this example God did not speak through the wind, earthquake, or fire; but in a quiet voice within the man of God Himself. The still small voice is another way in which God speaks to mankind. Though this type of encounter with God Almighty might happen more frequently than Him speaking audibly, there is still no guarantee that every man or woman of faith will hear from God in this way.
God’s Servants
Just as God spoke through the prophets of old, He speaks through His servants today. “Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 Amp). It is important to hear God’s voice when He is speaking. When God sends you one of His servants, this is Him speaking directly to you.
God’s Word
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Scriptures are there for us to learn about God, His Son Jesus, to teach us God’s commandments and precepts, how He relates to mankind, and to learn how to live a life pleasing to Him. Meditating on God’s Word is an avenue available to every man and woman of the faith to hear from God (Psalm 119:15).
The Holy Spirit
Being led by the Holy Spirit and having fellowship with God’s Spirit is an avenue of communication or communion that every believer has the opportunity to receive, experience, and participate in. The Scriptures state that, “we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Once we receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we can then be lead by the Spirit (Luke 4:1), bear witness in our spirit (Romans 8:16), and discern the grieving of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). When we give the Holy Spirit leadership in our lives, He will lead, guide, and direct us. His leadership and the unconscious guidance He brings will help us stay on the straight and narrow path God has set before us, and we will experience God’s Divine Providence in our lives. “The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
We encourage you this day to remember that we serve a living God, who is concerned with every detail of our lives. Obeying the Lord, and ridding yourself of sin is vital if you desire to hear the voice of the Lord in your life. God is often speaking but individuals are too distracted by sin to hear what He is saying. God is an Almighty God who decides what, when, and how He desires to speak to us. Whether that is through His Word, one of His servants, through the still small voice, or through any other form. If we are humble and set ourselves aside He will speak and provide the answers to our many questions and concerns.
Be still this day and know that He is God, and allow Him to reveal Himself to you in the way of His choosing. Jesus loves you and gave His life for you on the cross. Through accepting His sacrifice and receiving His Holy Spirit you can have fellowship with Him, and receive His Divine intervention in your life.
You can start by praying this prayer aloud to Him;
Dear Lord Jesus,
I ask that You would forgive me of my sins and wash me clean with Your blood. I welcome You into my heart to be the Lord of my life. I accept Your sacrifice and profess You as my Lord and Savior. I ask that You would fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and speak to me Your will for my life. I welcome the Holy Spirit to be with me to lead, guide, and direct me. I thank You for these things.
In Jesus Name I Pray,
Amen
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