God’s Voice
For he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care. Today, if only you would hear his voice. ––Psalm 95:7
We hear the term “God’s voice” a lot as God’s men, but what does that mean? What impact do those words have on our minds? What happens in many cases is that the more we hear a term, the more likely its impact diminishes. Then we are in danger of not examining our response to that particular term.
God’s Word tells us that He has supplied His voice to each of us individually through the Holy Spirit who dwells within each of us as His children (Romans 8:9). The term “still small voice” is used in Scripture (1 Kings 19:12-13), which indicates that it is a clear voice within us that speaks to us quietly.
Often in everyday life, when real communication takes place it’s because we are very intent on hearing that person’s voice. And so it is with our loving Father: We lean forward to listen, and make sure we don’t miss a word; we anticipate His next words, and want to be sure we are reading the lips of God. I love how Jesus talks affectionately about us, His sheep. (And yes, sheep are stinky and stubborn … an apt description of us, His “sheep”!) Jesus says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27-28 NKJV).
But to hear our Shepherd, we need to actively listen. And if we are not intent to listen to Him, it can be an indication that we have become somewhat blasé about the Person who loves us perfectly and unconditionally, and who has our best interests in mind. When we take God for granted, we are not so apt to receive His communication because we are so intent on the things that we can actually see around us––circumstances, relationships, etc. Remember, unless we anticipate God speaking to us, we cannot receive and experience His amazing love for us.
Make no mistake: God has you parked right now in this little corner of the digital universe, reading these words, because He wants you to realize that His voice is very important, and that He loves you so much that He wants to converse with you. (Cool, right?) But be on guard, because we are very susceptible to the world, the flesh, and the devil—and all the distracting voices contained within. Seek His voice; listen for His words. You will not be disappointed!
Father, thank You for the faith that You have given me to listen intently and on purpose; to both listen for and hear Your words meant especially for me.