Mike was with a friend on a boat for a week. We were not sure when we would get to talk but we texted a lot. This was a big deal for Mike to leave for a week, without me. While I have missed him, I am so proud of him going on this trip. Our friend bought a "big boat", as we call it, and Mike and another friend were riding with him, bringing it home. Some mornings I would have a video, when I woke up. It was beautiful sunrise from Lake Michigan and Lake Huron and Mike was saying, "Good morning, babe! This is for you. Miss you. I love you." One morning, after not having talked for a few days, he added, "I thought you would like to hear my voice." It was nice to hear his voice. I thought about the comfort that came from hearing his voice.
I continued to think about the comfort of hearing Mike's voice. One thing I really miss about my Dad is that I cannot remember his voice. I cannot hear it in my head. I love to watch videos and hear him. In my dreams, I see Dad and we laugh and things are like normal but I do not hear him speak. It is comforting to hear his voice - almost like he is here. Maybe that is why our Heavenly Father wants me to know His voice.
Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd and us, His children, are the sheep of His pasture. Jesus confirms that we can hear His voice. John 10: 27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me." Notice Jesus doesn't say if we read the whole Bible or go to church three days a week we will be able to hear His voice. He gives us one prerequisite to hearing His voice. We have to be one of His sheep! That's it!
He also warns us that His voice is not the only one we will hear. There will be two voices trying to guide us, on two very different paths. I bet you hear those voices! Especially at night or when things are quiet. That voice reminds me of negative things and Jesus refers to that voice like a thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy. John 10: 10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
We must know God's voice! John 10: 4, “His sheep follow him because they know his voice.”
We are told again in Isaiah 30: 21, “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.’”
We learned the Lord spoke with different voices in the Bible. His voice thundered when defending his people. Psalm 18: 13, "The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded." He whispered to Elijah at the mouth of an isolated cave after a windstorm, earthquake and fire. 1 Kings 19: 12-13, "And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'”
Very few times have I actually heard the Lords voice but without a doubt I have known He was speaking to me. Usually He sends me a sign or a billboard. Sometimes the Holy Spirit speaks to me through my mind. It is like a thought that intrudes and won't go away. It feels urgent, like it needs action. Sometimes He stirs my heart. Often times I feel Him speak to my soul me at night when I am still and quiet. If you want to hear Him, be intentional about listening for His voice. If you want to talk with someone you usually go somewhere quiet so you can listen. Somewhere you can focus and be from distractions. Be quiet and still and pray and ask God to speak to you. Say, "speak to me God, your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3: 10, "The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'speak for your servant is listening.'” If you have not "heard" God, try being quiet and still and say, "speak for your servant is listening."
Comments