Hearing God's Voice
We are literally designed to hear God, to know Him, and be in relationship with Him. I believe that we can't live this Christian life as well as we could if we didn't hear the voice of God. A lot of people hear that and think, “I haven’t heard the audible voice of God so he must not speak” or “I don't know how, connection seems really hard” and I wanna preface this devotional by saying that those things are lies. Jesus died and rose again, tearing the veil that protected the Holy of Holies in two from top to bottom, so that we can be restored to our right place connecting and being with the Father. It is our natural state. WE ARE MADE FOR CONNECTION. Also hearing the voice of God isn’t always the “audible voice” it can look like the Bible “hitting different” when we read a passage for the 100th time, it can look like a picture or image or vision. He speaks through people, and pain and music. He speaks to each of us differently, we just have to attune ourselves to him. As you read over these verses think through and meditate on what the Lord might be pointing out to you!
VERSES
“To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” … Jesus answered them, ‘I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.’”
- John 10:3-5, 25-27
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
- Romans 10:17
“Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.”
-John 8:47
“‘I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.’”
-John 16:12-15
“Samuel did not yet know the Lord because he had never had a message from the Lord before. So the Lord called a third time, and once more Samuel got up and went to Eli. ‘Here I am. Did you call me?’ Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, ‘Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’’ So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel replied, ‘Speak, your servant is listening.’ Then the Lord said to Samuel, ‘I am about to do a shocking thing in Israel.’”
-1 Samuel 3:7-11
PRAYER
“Lord, thank you that you created me for connection, and that I am literally designed to hear your voice. Thank you that you paid the price for our intimacy, that there is nothing that can separate me from you! Thank you that I have eternal access to the most high, I surrender now saying you have access to me and my heart! I believe you speak today so I ask that you speak right now, I am open to receive what you have for me. Speak Lord for your servant is listening.”
Now just sit and BE with Him
Further Practice
Listening Prayer:
- Most of us picture prayer sort of like a monologue: We talk to God, sharing our heartfelt thanks and offering up our petitions and requests. But prayer is really more like a dialogue, where we speak with God and the Lord speaks to us. Sometimes we need to be quiet and sit. Listening Prayer is just that! You always want to start this time by getting comfortable. Then close your eyes and sit with God, learn to be, quiet your mind, and if a phrase starts to repeat or you get a picture, make note of it or write it down!
- Ask God a question and try to listen for an answer!
- Ask God for a word of encouragement for a friend and see what He brings up! If it’s good and if it’s encouraging then it's most likely Him! Then share this word with said friend! - Good ministry practice!
- https://practicingtheway.org/pray/week-seven - A Sermon on Listening Prayer
Journaling:
- Ask God a question and try to listen for an answer! Then write it down!
- Journal about your day, write down your prayers and see if God responds!
- Just write what comes to your mind. Write EVERYTHING down!
Lectio Divina:
- Pick a passage of scripture and meditate on it by reading it over slowly and sitting with it for a minute or two (or however long you’d like). Then read it again slowly and notice what is standing out (make note of it) again sit with it for some time. Lastly read it over again for a third time slowly and notice what God might be trying to teach you or highlight to you, and sit with it for some time!
- https://practicingtheway.org/scripture-practice/part-three - another how-to!
Further Resources
“Whisper” by Mark Batterson
“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer
