Whispers: Hearing God’s Voice (Part 6 – What)

Allied Bank is currently running a very funny TV commercial. A job interview is taking place, but isn’t going according to plan. [Watch the commercial or read the script below]

Interviewer: “Impressive résumé. You know what? Tell me, what makes Peter, Peter?”
Peter: “Thank you. Well, I’m an avid catamaran sailor. I can my own homemade jam – apricot. And I really love my bank’s raise your own rate CD.”
Interviewer: “I’m sorry. Did you say you’ll have a pay raise ASAP?”
Peter: “No. I actually said, ‘I love my bank’s raise your rate CD.’”
Interviewer: “You spent 8 days lost at sea?”
Peter: “No, I never …”
Interviewer: “You love watching your neighbors watch TV?”
Close-up: Peter is stunned, not knowing what to say next.

Sometimes believers do exactly what the interviewer did. We don’t listen closely to what’s being said. When we fail to listen to God, we totally misinterpret His whispers. We must become focused listeners – hearing God’s whispers accurately.

What is it that God says in his whispers? What messages does He give? There are four categories to the content of God’s whispers.

First, God gives assignments. We are God’s representative on earth. Our mouth is His mouth; our hands do His work; our feet go where He leads. God gave Moses an assignment in Exodus 3:10. “So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.” Moses immediately gave five excuses for not accepting this mission. Apparently Moses didn’t hear God’s whisper two verses later: “I will be with you.” Eventually Moses obeyed God, a task that would last 40 years. We must listen to God’s whispers and accept His assignments without excuses – no matter how long they take.

Second, God offers assurances. Occasionally we have thoughts that reflect our fears, doubts, or poor self-image. We think, “No one loves me.” Or, “God doesn’t care about me.” Or, “I’m nobody and will never amount to anything.” Sound familiar? The Twelve Step program calls this “stinkin’ thinkin’.” These types of thoughts ultimately lead to despair and depression. Gideon saw himself as the least important member of his family from the weakest clan in Israel. But God saw him as “a mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). When Gideon chose to obey God’s whisper, he lead the Israelites to an amazing victory over their oppressors, the Midianites.

Next, God brings accusations. We like to think of the Father as a God of Love, and He is. But we tend to overlook the fact that He’s also a God of Justice. When we sin, God allows us to rebel for awhile. But eventually he accuses and reprimands us for our transgressions. His rebuke is motivated by love and administered with justice. Three times the Apostle Peter denied knowing Christ. As Christ predicted, the cock crowed immediately after the third betrayal. “The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter … and [Peter] went outside and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61-62). Peter’s rebuke was far worse than physical punishment; he suffered spiritual and mental anguish. Later, in John 21:15-17, the Lord lovingly reinstates Peter. The accusation was over and forgiveness was freely given.

Finally, God provides awareness. Sometimes He whispers to us concerning our future. After Peter was reinstated, Christ told him about his future. Jesus said (John 21:18-19), “I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God …” And Peter died exactly as Jesus had foretold.

On September 5, 2003 I heard God whisper to me and wrote the following message in my journal. “Steve, I’m calling you to obey me by taking a step of faith. Surrender everything to me – sacrifice everything for me – and I will change your life. You will celebrate me in community, and you will be my witness.” In late November I took a step of faith and signed up to go to Angola. One week later, my wife died of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 51. Then one month later, my mother-in-law passed away of the very same cause. Finally, two weeks later I left my job as school superintendent – and my career in education – not knowing where my next dollar would come from.

In June, 2004 I was asked to preach at a church in Kuito, Angola. As I waited to be introduced I heard another whisper. “Steve, everything I told you about your future has come to pass. You took a step of faith and came to Angola. You’ve surrendered and sacrificed much, but more will be required. The life you knew is no more. It’s been completely changed. In a few minutes you will stand before this community of believers, and you will be my witness.” My tears flowed freely as I stood in awe of God’s plan for my life.

Truthfully, my story is far from over.  Somehow I suspect it has just begun.  I take great delight in these words from 1 Samuel 12:16, “Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!”  I don’t know how my life will turn out, but I know that God knows.

© 2011 Designed to Serve®