By Donna Winchell
“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21 NIV)
I think it would be wonderful to hear the audible voice of God. Adam & Eve heard God’s voice in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:8); Saul on the road to Damascus in a blinding light heard His voice (Acts 9:3-7); Moses heard God from the burning bush (Ex. 3:4-6); and God spoke to Job “out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1 KJV). God has and still can speak audibly, but more often, we will hear God speaking through our thoughts, a song, nature, other people and even through dreams. We need to be ready to actually listen for God’s voice; He’s not going to speak to us in ways we do not understand. When we are earnestly seeking answers in faith, God will answer us in a quiet way that we can recognize.
Sometimes God will simply speak to us through our minds. Because of that, He wants us to develop a “mind of Christ” – the ability to make decisions as Jesus would. The Bible urges this in Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The Spirit speaking will bring feelings of peace; and if the prompting is from God, we won’t feel fear or trepidation.
Some people may have vivid dreams where God communicates via images and ideas like the beautiful dream Brooke shared with us in her recent Going Deeper devotional. Every detail in those dreams has some significance; God doesn’t do anything without a purpose. If you have a dream, don’t miss the image the Lord has painted; look at the big picture. Is the Lord saying something special to you about your life? If you feel God communicating to you in your dreams, try discovering His message by recording repetitive dreams in your journal, paying attention to symbolism and listening for answers to life’s challenges or prayers that you have lifted up to Him. Most importantly, pray and ask God if He is trying to tell you something through your dream.
Jesus declared, “My sheep hear My voice” (John. 10:27). We expect to hear from God in church, where He proclaims His message through sermons, songs and writings; via pastors, speakers, choirs and praise teams. But God doesn’t just speak on Sundays. He wants to speak to us all through the week through His word in the Bible, through our families, friends and sometimes even our enemies – BUT – If you are ever unsure of what you are being told, Scripture tells us that God’s voice will never contradict Scripture.
I love that God speaks to us through nature. Romans 1:20 states that God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.” Nature declares those invisible attributes of God; and Scripture is clear that God is at work in His creation – maintaining and facilitating all that happens in the world.
God is supreme, able to speak to us however and whenever. It is a blessing to hear God’s voice, so if you wish to hear Him, humble yourself, open your heart and mind and become aware; because sometimes His voice may only be a whisper. He may speak in a whisper because He wants to be as close to us as is divinely possible! He loves us that much.
When God Whispers
The man whispered, "God, speak to me," and a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.
So the man yelled, "God, speak to me," and the thunder rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you." And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not see.
And the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle." And a life was born.
But the man did not notice.
So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and let me know you are here."
Where upon, God reached down and touched the man. But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
~Author Unknown~
The goal of hearing our heavenly Father’s voice isn’t just hearing His voice; it’s intimacy with Him.
“And the LORD came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel! And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:10 NLT)
- God speaks to us but do we have the ears to hear what He is saying?
- Are we willing to respond?
- When was the last time you invited God to speak to you, and were you listening?
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