What does God’s voice sound like? I am sometimes jealous of the people in the Bible who got to interact with God in a more direct manner. Moses talked with God face to face. The disciples talked with Jesus, God incarnate. Yet, God says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27) God created all of us differently, so He also speaks to us differently.
Sometimes God speaks through His Scripture. God’s words are so powerful, that God says His Word is sharper than a sword and able to pierce the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Heb 4:12). There are times when I am reading Scripture and God highlights a specific verse or phrase. This is God telling me that I need to pay attention to what that scripture is saying.
God speaks through nature. Psalm 19:1 mention that the heavens declare the glory of God, the skys proclaim the work of His hands. As I observe the beauty of nature around me, I am reminded of the nature of God. God is creative, God is beautiful, God is powerful and all knowing. Many people find that as they enjoy the nature that God created, it tunes in our focus to more clearly hear from God.
God speaks through repetition. I find that when I hear the same message in three different places, it’s usually God trying to get my attention to something. It might be that I will hear something on the radio, and then again in Todd’s sermon and again in a book I am reading, or in a discussion with someone. Sometimes an idea or someone’s name will come back again and again … And again! I believe that this is another way that God uses to get my attention.
Part of listening prayer is to hold a conversation with God. It is really hard to hold a conversation with someone when one person does all the talking. When I ask God a question, or invite Him to speak, sometimes the first words that enter my head are what God is trying to say to me. Sometimes God gives me a picture, a scripture or a song. It is tempting to say that I just made up my own answers. With faith and an honest desire to hear God’s voice, I can more easily recognize what God is saying.
It is also important to discern what you are hearing. The things that God says will never be contradictory to scripture. If God is asking you to step out in faith, He may confirm His guidance through someone else or through circumstances. It’s not that the road ahead will always be easy, but God’s peace will confirm what He is telling you.
As a prayer group, we would like to practise listening to the voice of God. Join us on Tuesdays at 7:30 as we will spend time together listening for God’s voice.
– Wendy Stirbet
