Do You Hear What I Hear

Good morning.  Well, we made it to another day.  Be sure that today, of all days, of any day, you hear God speaking.  Do you hear what I hear?

Let’s talk about this statement.  “God speaking” specifically.  Have you ever heard the audible voice of God?  I’ve talked to a few who say they have.  I believe them.  Did you know that when God spoke to someone in the bible that they actually heard an audible voice?

God’s still small voice – Do you hear what I hear?

In spite of this fact, many talk about “God’s still small voice” when hearing God speak to them because not many hear that clear audible voice.  But did you know that there is only one instance in the bible about God using a “still small voice” to speak to anyone?

When God speaks, does He try to make us guess at what He is saying?  Was that me, or was that God? Sometimes we have a “God thought” and it sparks an emotional reaction – is this God speaking to me? And sometimes it’s the pastor, or a spiritual mentor that says something that resonates with us – is that God trying to tell me something?  And sometimes we even say, “that was God speaking specifically to me!”

Was it God, or was it not?

It can get kind of confusing trying to distinguish.  And then there’s the devil trying to trick us in addition to all of this.  How are we ever supposed to know what God is trying to tell us?  And with all the distractions and white noise, how are we to ever hear that “still small voice?”

If a tree fell in a forest and no one was there to hear it did it make a sound?  Let’s not make a science out of this – it’s about a relationship. 

Do you hear what I hear? Here are some things to ponder:

• The Relationship – ever tried to talk to someone you don’t have a relationship with?  😊
  • God designed us to be in a relationship with Him.  What kind of relationship would it be if He never talked to us….and vis-a-versa.

John 15:15 niv I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

• A friend – that everyday-walking-around-kind-of-life with our friend Jesus.
• The Word – you have to know His written word.
  • You have to know the word to know His voice, and to know His word and know His voice is to know His will.  Want to know His will, know His word.
  • Spoiler alert.  He speaks to us primarily through His written word, not that ‘still small voice.’  Okay, so I’ll get some feedback on that one.  😊  I’ll come back to this 3rd bullet point.
• Connectivity
  • God wants to connect, so be more aware.
• Discernment
  • Many voices are vying for our attention.  Most of it is white noise.

John 10:27 niv My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

• Expectations
  • It’s exciting to be expecting something, especially to hear from God.  So be aware, be discerning, and be ready!
• Availability
  • Are you too busy to hear? And even if you did, are you too busy to respond?
• God loves the humble
  • God is no respecter of persons (no one is more special than any other) – He speaks to those who’ll listen.

Here’s the scoop (back to the 3rd bullet point).  God speaks to all of us, as He calls out for us to follow Him.  How do I know?  Did I hear an audible voice?  Or was it that ‘still small voice’ in the woods when the birds weren’t even singing or the tree wasn’t falling?  No, none of the above. 

It’s because I know His word.  I’ve read it, it’s been taught to me, and I’ve seen it demonstrated.  I’ve followed people of great faith.  So even though I never “heard” God Himself speak to me audibly and say “follow me,”  I know, I know Him, I spend time with Him, so I know what to expect from Him, and what He expects from me – that is that voice that guides me. 

God’s still small voice

That is the ‘still small voice’ that we hear.  It’s that guiding voice in our hearts that is led by the knowledge we have of God’s Word.  What would God do…what would Jesus do (WWJD – remember those bracelets)?

I think God gives us great leeway. He speaks to us through His word.  He let’s us make choices, guided by His word, His will, which comes from our relationship with Him.  We have thoughts about His word. Those thoughts guide us, cause us to do right, cause us to turn right when we are to turn right, and left when we are to turn left.  His Word is a lamp unto our feet. 

Challenge of the day:  Be ready to hear that audible voice and even that ‘still small voice’ of God.  But trust those things He has written on the tablet of your heart to lead and guide you.  You have the spirit of God, (the) Holy Spirit, to help you with that. So be it!

Don ‘t miss tomorrow’s devotional for more on this, with an amazing video!