The Christmas story has several key characters who listened to God. An angel came from God to both Mary and Joseph, and they obeyed. The shepherds listened to his angel messengers and literally rushed to find the baby. Wise men heard him calling them to a journey to Bethlehem, then again for directions to return home another way. After the birth event, Joseph and Mary listened again to God calling them to Egypt for safety.
If we are going to follow the Lord by trusting and believing him, then we also need to listen to him for guidance. Many of us do our listening by reading God’s Word, plus hearing sermons from pastors and lessons from teachers. But how about listening to “his voice” speaking to us at times when we are not necessarily doing those things?
“You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him.” (Deuteronomy 13:4 NASB)
There seems to be some suspicion of people who say, “God talked to me.” Maybe that comes from seeing TV shows and movies where the one who claims to have heard God then goes out and kills somebody … because “God told me to.” I assure you, God did not tell them any such thing.
But I am inviting you to reach a comfort level where you can safely share with others that God spoke to you about something. Does that sound uncomfortable? Don’t forgot that the Bible is the story of God speaking to people. Besides those just mentioned, Abraham heard God’s voice, so did Moses, King David, all the prophets, the disciple Simon Peter, the Apostle Paul.
Now … a voice can be heard both externally and internally. You can hear in your spirit as well as in your ears. In my case, God speaks to me inwardly. Somehow, I must figure out if what I am “hearing” is my own series of thoughts, or the temptations and lies of the enemy, or if possible, the true voice of God guiding me.
For example, many years ago as I was going through a struggle regarding self-acceptance, I once heard a voice in my head say, “Stop beating yourself up.” I was a bit stunned at such a clear directive. But it was true … I called myself clumsy when I dropped something, uncoordinated when I tripped, stupid when I didn’t know the answer. I would often say “you idiot” to myself. And some of you have done the same.
When I heard that voice in my spirit, I sat there for a moment asking, “Is that you, God? If so, why is this important to you?”
I waited a few seconds, and then he said, “I don’t beat you up.” This was one of the most convincing and profound instances of hearing God’s voice that I ever had, at a time when it was crucial for my faith journey. It boosted me into a new realm of more clearly hearing God speak to me. He was telling me in this instance that I was treating myself in a manner he would never treat me, and I needed to hear that!
You, too, can hear God’s voice if you listen. Don’t be afraid to share with others that you have heard God speak something into you. (Tell them that you believe the Bible, and it’s in there!)
I would throw in a word of caution here, because as much as I believe heartily that God speaks to us, I can have difficulty with a person who says, “God told me, God told me, God told me,” throughout every conversation. Of course, I know plenty of people who can say “God told me” all they want to, and I would believe it, because I know them and their genuine faith quite well. And if I ever had a doubt, it would not offend them for me to question it. But for some people, peppering every conversation with “God told me,” is very self-serving. It allows them to avoid godly input from wise people and to steer away from the correction of God. It’s hard to question someone like that, because you sense they would get offended if you ever said, “Are you sure that’s what God told you?”
What God tells us matches his nature, his love, his purposes, and the Scripture. We all should learn to listen for God’s voice, but none of us hears “perfectly.” Still, we are called to do so.
“… Today, if you would hear His voice, …” (Psalm 95:7)
Christmas is a great time to listen,
Chaplain Mark
Thank you for continuing to lead us toward the real true God.
I have learned that He speaks to me with that still small “voice” that I can miss if I am not “being still and remembering that He is God. That is what is carrying me through a sometimes sad and troubling life.
I really am enjoying these, Mark — I will use them for devotions to groups at church & other places – Like I do your other ones — Thanks & keep it up
Just what I needed to hear