Whispers: Hearing God’s Voice (Part 1: Background)

When I was a new Christian a friend invited me over to watch a football game. I responded, “Let me think about it.” You see, my friend is black and I’m white. But that’s not what bothered me. Instead, I was terrified because he lived in the heart of the ghetto. I feared for my safety.

One day, as I was driving my car, I listened to the “verse of the day” on a local Christian radio station. The announcer read Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I almost drove off the road. I realized that God was speaking to me, assuring me that He would protect me. I went to my friend’s house, had a wonderful time, and came home alive!

Has God ever “spoken” to you? I’m not talking about audibly hearing his voice. Have you ever known – just known in your soul – that God was saying something to you personally? If so, then you’ve already experienced one of the most exciting aspects of the Christian life. At moments of God’s choosing, He breaks through the humdrum of everyday life with a message just for you!

Don’t be surprised that God talks to His children. He told us it would happen. In John 10:3-4 Jesus used an analogy involving a gatekeeper, shepherd and sheep. The gatekeeper is God; Jesus is the shepherd; and we are the sheep. Jesus said, “The gatekeeper opens the gate for [the shepherd], and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

Did you catch that last phrase? “… His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” As a shepherd speaks to His flock, so Jesus speaks to His sheep. You are one of His “lambs;” therefore Jesus speaks to you, too.

Isaiah 30:21 is the key verse in understanding this idea of God speaking – or whispering – to you. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” In other words, it doesn’t matter where you are. If you listen to God’s voice, He’ll point you in the right direction.

This next series of posts will explore the whisper of God. We’ll look at …

• Old Testament examples, including Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Esther, David, Isaiah, and others
• New Testament examples, such as Mary, Joseph, shepherds, Peter, Paul, and others
• Some of my own experiences and those of my friends
• The methods of communication God uses – direct and indirect
• How to know if it’s God who is speaking to you
• Steps to take to make it more likely that you’ll hear God’s voice

My most memorable experiences as a Christian have occurred because I heard and obeyed God’s voice. Are you ready for a true adventure? Okay. Strap in and prepare for lift-off!

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