In our daily lives, we’re constantly bombarded by different voices – the opinions of others, our own internal dialogue, and sometimes even deceptive whispers that lead us astray. But there’s one voice that stands above all others, waiting patiently for us to tune in and listen.
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What Voices Are You Hearing?
We encounter various voices throughout our day. Sometimes we hear from others around us, like the friends of Job who offered their perspectives during his difficult times. We also hear our own voice – that internal commentary that can sometimes lead us down the wrong path. As one person wisely noted, “At least I’m safe inside my mind,” but the truth is, we’re not always safe there. Our minds can wander to different places and create wrong scenarios.
There’s also that evil voice that sits on our shoulder, whispering lies and deception. Scripture warns us that Satan prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. He’s not just wandering aimlessly – he’s actively seeking to deceive and destroy.
How Does God Speak to Us?
The Still Small Voice
In First Kings 19, we find the story of Elijah experiencing God’s presence. God wasn’t in the powerful wind that tore through the mountains, nor in the earthquake that followed, nor in the fire that came after. Instead, God spoke through a gentle whisper – a still small voice.
We often want God to speak in grand, unmistakable ways. We want Him to etch His plan in the clouds or give us dramatic signs. Isaiah 30 speaks of hearing a voice that says, “This is the way you should go.” While that would be convenient, God often chooses to speak more quietly.
God Is Always Present and Speaking
Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, ready to enter if we invite Him in. Isaiah 58 tells us that when we call, He will quickly reply, “Yes, I’m here.” God will always speak to us – He even chose a donkey to speak in the Old Testament when people weren’t listening properly.
The key is learning to distinguish His voice from all the others. God will never contradict Scripture, so we need to tune in carefully and test what we hear against His Word.
What Does It Mean to Be God’s Sheep?
John 10:27 provides a beautiful picture: “My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them and they follow me.” This verse reveals three important truths about our relationship with God:
- His sheep listen to His voice
- He knows His sheep personally
- His sheep follow Him
The Blood of the Lamb
There’s a fascinating connection between our fall and our redemption. In the Garden of Eden, humanity fell through the deception of a serpent. In ancient times, when people were bitten by snakes, the antidote was made from lamb’s blood. So the cure for the snake bite that caused our spiritual fall is the blood of the Lamb – Jesus Christ, whom we celebrate and remember.
How Can We Better Hear God’s Voice?
Learning from Samuel’s Example
In 1 Samuel 3, young Samuel heard God calling but didn’t initially recognize the voice. After Eli helped him understand, Samuel responded with the perfect prayer: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”
This should be our daily prayer – positioning ourselves to hear from God with hearts ready to listen and obey.
Conscious Awareness of God’s Presence
How many conscious moments each day are you aware of and surrendering to God’s presence? How often are you saying, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening”?
The question comes down to this: whose inscription is on your life? Are you living with your priorities straight, giving God what belongs to Him?
Why Is the Christian Life Sometimes Difficult?
Living the Christian life isn’t always as easy as it appears. Like a young boy trying to juggle a dozen eggs only to have them all break on the floor, we sometimes struggle with what looks simple from the outside. Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have trouble.”
But a biblical Christian isn’t just someone who holds certain beliefs about the Bible – they’re someone who leads the kind of life demonstrated in the Bible, a life of personal, intelligent interaction with God.
What Treasures Await Those Who Seek?
There’s a story of a daughter who bought a dirty, seemingly worthless jewelry box at a rummage sale for $3. Her father questioned the purchase, but she was determined to clean it up. Hidden in the cushions of that $3 jewelry box, she discovered a $100 bill.
Scripture promises, “Seek and you will find.” When we listen for the Lord’s voice, He has something special waiting for us. God is speaking – we just need to tune in to hear His still small voice above all the noise of this world.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to create intentional moments of quiet where you can listen for God’s still small voice. Set aside time each day to pray Samuel’s prayer: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Practice tuning out the other voices – your own anxious thoughts, the opinions of others, and the deceptive whispers of the enemy – to focus on what God might be saying to you.
Ask yourself these questions:
- How many conscious moments each day am I aware of God’s presence?
- Am I actively listening for God’s voice, or am I too busy with the noise of life?
- When I hear something I believe is from God, am I testing it against Scripture?
- Whose inscription is truly on my life – am I living with my priorities aligned with God’s will?
Remember, obedience is your responsibility, but the outcome belongs to God. Listen for His voice, follow His leading, and trust that He has treasures waiting for those who seek Him with sincere hearts.