“My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27 (HCSB)
My dad could watch his game on TV, listen to a different game on his radio, and read a book, all at the same time! But for some reason he could totally tune out what was going on around him in our home. He would miss conversations, even questions directed right at him, because he chose to selectively listen to specific voices. It was quite a talent. We do the same thing to God!
So many people say they do not hear God’s voice. Sadly, the reason for that is they have selective hearing. God is speaking all the time. Jesus promised that His sheep, us His followers, would hear His voice so that we could follow Him (John 10:27). The reality is too many people are only listening for His audible voice, which is a very rare and precious thing. Nevertheless, He speaks constantly, in many other ways and we must learn to tune our spiritual ears to hear Him.
However He speaks to each of us, usually it starts as a very dim, quiet, almost invisible thread. It is so easy to miss. But as we, by faith, take hold of it we realize that this thread is connected to His garment that fills the Temple! It requires faith to hear Him. We are told that without faith it is impossible to please (and follow) Him and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). To follow Him, we must hear Him clearly (John 10:27), because He calls us you go with Him to unexpected, perhaps even dangerous places.
What if Moses didn’t stop to see the bush that was on fire but not consumed? But he did. He saw something strange, a wisp and dug deeper into it! What if Samuel just ignored the Lord calling his name in the night? We may never have had one of the greatest prophets! And what if Abram ignored this strange thought to go somewhere else yet to be disclosed? The Bible would have recorded a different chosen people! You see, though God may speak as a wisp at first, His messages are life-changing, history making, world altering for those who respond and dig deeper.
Let me reiterate, God rarely speaks audibly. Nevertheless, here are some ways that He usually uses…
A wisp
A feeling
A thought
A picture
A dream
A scripture
Lastly, it is very important to steward what He gives you. Write down what he reveals to you, it’s called journaling. Make journaling a lifestyle! As you are faithful in the little, He will reveal more, AND MORE. He wants to reveal Himself, but if you can’t get beyond a sip here and there, how will you handle standing in front of a fire hydrant of revelation?
Repent for saying you cannot hear His voice. Ask Him to speak, however He wants. Ask Him to increase your spiritual attentiveness, and by faith to take hold of the wisp, the whisper, the feeling, etc. Tell Him you’ll be faithful and obedient with whatever He reveals. Pray for your pastor to likewise, hear God’s precious voice more and more!
