Hearing God’s voice is a question of identity. Who are we at the core? We need to understand this important distinction; hearing Gods voice is not something we do, hearing God is about someone we are. It’s a reflection of our identity as children of God. People say to me, “I don’t hear God, it’s not for me.” Others believe it’s for leaders only or it’s for people they think are more spiritual then they are. These are lies exalted against the knowledge of God. Jesus stated in John 8:47, “He that is of God hears God’s words. (Rhema)” Hearing God speaking is wrapped into our inheritance as a believer, it’s a lifestyle of an ever-increasing journey to the heart of God. Jesus also said in John 10:27, “my sheep know my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
How can we claim to have a personal relationship with Him if true dialogue doesn’t take place? How can we expect to talk to Him and hear nothing in return? The question is, are we hearing Him? Fifteen times in the NT Jesus says, “He who has ears, let him hear.” It also says in Hebrews 3:15 “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.” Rest assured, God speaks, He has always been speaking and God still speaks to us today.
What limitations have I put on these truths?
God Speaks In Many Ways
The pattern is established throughout the Scripture that God communicates in different ways with humankind. Job 33:14-16 says, “that God may speak in one way or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction.” Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…”
He speaks in various ways indeed! He spoke to Moses through a burning bush. He spoke to Gideon through a fleece. He even spoke to Balaam through a donkey. He spoke to Abraham in a dream. Saul had an audible encounter with the voice of God. He spoke to Mary through an angel. He spoke to Saul on the Damascus road through a bright light. He spoke to Elijah through a still small voice. He spoke face to face to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. He spoke to Noah, Isaac and Jacob. He spoke to all the prophets. He spoke not only to men but woman like Sarah, Deborah, Ruth, and Mary.
An Invitation
The point here is, the gospel does not change. God speaks and He hasn’t decided to change His nature and become mute because we are in the twenty first century. He longs that all His children hear His voice. I believe this year of faith and hearing is an invitation into hearing significant things to come that we don’t know about. “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” (Jeremiah 33:3) The synonyms for remarkable include extraordinary, exceptional, amazing, astonishing, astounding, marvelous, wonderful, sensational, stunning, incredible, unbelievable, miraculous, phenomenal, striking, outstanding, momentous, impressive, memorable, unforgettable, noteworthy, great, important, rare, surprising, fantastic, terrific, tremendous, stupendous, awesome, out of this world and wondrous. Wow!
Perhaps, if faith comes by hearing and hearing the rhema word of God, we don’t need to ask God for more faith, we need to ask Him to open our ears, so we can hear what He is saying. What would the fullness of that truth look like in your daily life?