12:08/2021
When we hear the Lord speaking to us what does that sound like? What is it about His voice that convinces us that we are actually speaking with Him, and later, when He speaks again how is it that we recognize His voice as being the same? We read in scripture of God speaking, we imagine Him speaking before He talks to us the first time, and we know somehow that we will know Him when he does, but how is that? Do I hear Him as you hear Him, as someone else hears Him? If He whispers, shouts, or speaks in a normal tone how do we recognize that it is the same person; is it just like how we know our earthly father’s voice? The voice of God… so mysterious… so indescribable, and yet so distinct and certain. How does our Father sound to us?
“There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””
1 Kings 19:9 ESV
Scripture passages such as this, in which we read of God speaking, lead us to believe that Elijah already knew what God’s voice sounded like. He didn’t have to ask if it was Him, or pray for discernment… no… the implication was that Elijah just knew, and a few minutes later he stood in the entrance to the cave, and listened for Him again, and this time He knew that none of the other sounds were God; not the wind, the earthquake, or the roaring fire. This time Elijah recognized the Lord’s low whisper, and then, he heard the normal sound of the Lord in conversation… and knew them both as God.
“And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””
1 Kings 19:12-13 ESV
Was this the same voice that spoke to Adam, Abram, Noah, Moses, Samuel, Jesus, so many others, and is it the same voice that now speaks to us? Have we ever thought about this, and does it really matter so long as we know it is him? Perhaps not, because in Job we read that he speaks in multiple ways, and yet opens our ears to the fact that it is Him. Listen…
“For God speaketh once, Yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falleth upon men, In slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, And sealeth their instruction,”
Job 33:14-16 KJV
So, just as my voice is unique to me, my features are unique, and maybe my taste and smell are unique, why shouldn’t God’s voice be unique in my ears? This is a mystery, but one thing is for certain… when we know Him we will know His voice, and isn’t that what leads us on into righteousness, and eventually holiness?
“And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.”
John 10:4 KJV
Prayer:
Thank you father for speaking to us, and letting us recognize your voice among all voices. Thank you for softening our hearts, and opening our ears to the sound of your voice, and know your will. Wherever we are, and though we be deaf in the world, your voice will manifest itself to us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you whose voice speaks to us when no others can hear, who on occasion allows others to listen to our conversations for instruction, and who gives us your voice as we preach, teach, and come down from your Holy mountain. Praised be your name Lord for every word you speak. Glorious are you who is conversant in every language, every dialect, and in groanings too deep for words. You are mighty Father and we hear you in the roar of the storms. You are gentle, and we hear you in the whisper of the softest breeze, and you are restful as we meet you in the silence of slumber to hear your soothing song. We hear you with the ears of Jesus, and worship you by reciting the words your Spirit has taught us… our practiced voice becoming eternal like yours… like that of Jesus, and lifted in worship for all of creation to hear. Glory be to God in the highest who knows my name, calling me his child, and whose voice is known to me!
“again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.””
Hebrews 4:7 ESV
Rich Forbes