"Hearing from God"

These days we read and hear all kinds of claims regarding "hearing" from God. How can we know who or what to believe? Does God really speak to people today, and if He does, can we hear Him like we hear anyone else?  While there is no single "one-size-fits-all" answer to this question, we do know God wants you and me to hear His voice. How to hear God is the real question. Just as He has created us uniquely, so He speaks to us individually.  We hear Him not with our ears, but in our hearts.

While it's highly unlikely you will hear God speak to you out loud in a big booming voice,  God does speak audibly through teachers, pastors, friends, family members - even songs, events, and people we don't especially like. Are you surprised? God is God, after all, and can communicate with us any way He chooses.

Hearing the voice of God is as natural as an idea that comes into your mind. In fact, that's often exactly how He speaks. A thought occurs to you-something you've never thought of before-and it leads you to some kind of action that either answers a prayer or helps someone else who's in trouble.

God speaks to us in the natural moments of life. Do you want to hear God's voice? Then you must be ready to listen.  Know why you want to hear Him. Motives are important. God is not a genie, nor is He Santa Claus. He speaks to those who come to Him in Jesus' name. Consider this: If you want to hear from God, it's possible you are hearing Him already, for He may be the One giving you the very desire to hear Him.

The Bible says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1). "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). The evidence of history, fulfilled prophecy and personal testimony over thousands of years is overwhelming that the Bible is, indeed, God's Word. Do you want to hear God's voice? Then read the Bible.

When you want to have a conversation with someone, how do you begin? Do you stand in front of the person and hope they will talk to you? That might work, if the other person is outgoing enough, but usually we begin a conversation by opening our own mouths and talking, engaging the other person's attention. It's the same with God! He loves to hear us talk to Him, and it's in those moments that we prepare ourselves to hear the voice of God. Prayer is like saying, "Hello, God, it's me. I believe you created me and that you know way more about how I should live my life than I do. I'd like to get to know you better. Here's what's going on in my life, and I'd sure like your thoughts on how to handle it. Would you please speak to me about this today?"  In an ordinary conversation, we speak and then listen for the response of the other person. It's the same with God! Once we've prepared our hearts to listen through prayer, we're more likely to hear the voice of God.

In the book of Revelation, we read: "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelation 3:20). God will never force you to obey Him, but waits for your willing response to His call. Are you hearing His voice right now? Don't let your final answer be the wrong one.

 

by Ed Olson

Bible Verses to Remember:

John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.

Revelation 3:20—Here I am! I stand a the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.