Hearing God’s Voice
Do you believe that God speaks to you? I do. I have not heard Him speak in an audible voice, as Samuel did, but He speaks in my spirit, through his Word, and through the counsel of godly people. God convicts me of right and wrong, but he also provides answers to questions that may not seem at first to be moral ones. Where should I live? Where should I go to school or work? How should I organize my day?
1 Kings 19:12 says that God speaks in “a gentle whisper” (NIV) or “a still, small voice” (KJV)—literally, “a sound of soft stillness.” If we know that God speaks, and that His answers are wise, how then do we seek his counsel? We quiet the noise that surrounds us and spend time listening to God. William Arnot wrote in 1857: “The Word says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Those who don’t want this knowledge are afraid to be still, lest it should steal in and disturb their peace.” It is no different in 2012. Are you afraid to be still? Do you always have your Ipod in your ears or the TV and radio on? When you’ve had a stressful day, is your first instinct to flip on the computer or Xbox to relax? Or are you constantly rushing from activity to activity until you fall into bed, exhausted?
When was the last time you were still, in your house or car or outside in God’s creation, with no background noise to distract you? Take a few minutes today to be still. Acknowledge God, and give Him a chance to speak to you.
Questions:
- Do you want God’s counsel, even if it might disturb your peace?
- Do you find time to be still? Psalm 46:10
- Can you say, as Samuel did, “Speak, Lord, for thy servant is listening”? 1 Samuel 3:10
Thanks for these words Becky! It’s so true. I think sometimes stillness scares us, maybe because we know God will use that time to speak to us.
Oh my friend, what a wise suggestion. I often go from activity to activity… too often.
Today I will find time to be still and listen.
Thanks,
NoMo
Be still and know that I am God