There is one question that has been repeated by many different people for many years. It comes from both Christ-followers and those who oppose him. The question is simple… How do I hear the voice of God?
As Christians we know we should be striving to follow the will of God, but we also realize that the Bible does not speak specifically about many of the issues that we face in a day. It would nice to “get a ruling” on the host of things that might be considered “grey areas”.
And of course it doesn’t help when we hear people say that “God called me” to such and such… or “God laid it on my heart”. If God hasn’t done that for you then you feel like an inferior Christian. “You mean God hasn’t talked to you?… Really?… And you call yourself a Christian?”
But the truth of the matter is that God has talked to his people, and continues to speak to them… even now. That is the definitive difference between God and an idol. Or as Habakkuk 2 says…
“Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trust in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, “Come to life!” Or to a lifeless stone, “Wake up!” Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”
People talk to an idol because it is NOT going to refute, correct, or talk back. But in the presence of a living God, Habakkuk tells us that silence in order. Now, I am not suggesting that God is going to give us specific instruction on every particular issue we might have a question about with an audible voice. But maybe we need to examine how to listen to how God IS speaking.
Listening to God is largely going to be done with the engagement of scripture. We read the Bible but do we really listen to God? Maybe you have committed to read the Bible through this year, so each day you read your “allotment” in order to finish “the book” in one year. Now, if that is all you do, you will be blessed with reading a great story, but that’s about all.
Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is alive and powerful”. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “All scripture is God breathed”, meaning it is not dead. If all we do is read it, we are missing out on the voice of God.
Maybe instead of just asking questions of the Bible, we need to allow the Bible to call us into question. So maybe the question we should ask is… “If I take this text seriously, what would I have to change in my life?”
When we allow the Bible to transform our lives, I believe the voice of God will be loud and clear. Or as Paul put it… “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” (Col. 3:16)
January 22nd, 2012 at 7:41 am
This post calls to mind a collect from the Book of Common Prayer:
Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning; Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace, and ever hold fast, the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen
I think that patience is sometimes the most difficult part of listening to God. As with a friend of family member, when we ask a question about something important, we want an answer immediately or soon. But sometimes the best answers are the ones worth patiently waiting for. Thanks for this post . . . I’ve been frustrated lately with myself and God, asking, asking, asking, and I haven’t been patiently waiting for my answers or silently listening for a response. Needed a reminder.