The other day I was sitting in a room talking to someone and around me were numerous conversations going on. It was so hard to hear what the person I was talking to was saying. The world around us is no different today. There is noise coming from everywhere. News, social media, other friends and family, websites and all the various sources. It can be hard to hear the person you are trying to talk to!!!
That “still small voice” can be so hard to hear at times. I can tell you for myself in all situations of my life, that I want to hear clearly!! I want to hear the Lord’s voice above all else. I want to hear what the Lord has for me and wants from me. I want to be obedient. Not what I think I want to hear, not because of punishment but because I want to honor the Lord in my life for all that He has done for me.
In the book of John, Jesus is explaining to his disciples and others, his claim to Be the Son of God. The people were demanding from Jesus and answering if he was the promised Messiah or not. Jesus, so plainly, tells them in verses 26 and 27, But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. The shepherd looks over his flock and directs them in all ways big and small.
I often hear from others “How do you know what you are hearing is from God?”. First, are you a sheep to the great Shephard? Are you saved? The 1st thing which must be considered is that you must be saved otherwise all the listening in the world will be pointless. Understanding and obedience to what the Lord is asking can only be obtained through this process.
The Bible says we are all sinners (born into the world) and we must accept that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our own sins. If we accept that then we must believe we are a new creation and the old life is passed away. We must repent of our sins and turn towards God.
We must confess this with our lives. There is nothing else we need to do at this point. It is a gift from God. Then and only then can we hear the voice of the Lord. Romans 10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
Secondly, does what the Lord is telling you, line up with scripture? We cannot depend on our own thinking. We must seek the Lord for His plan and wisdom regarding all our decisions. You can read ALL the sources in the world, be the wisest of humans, yet without God’s knowledge, it will be fruitless. Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do NOT lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight our paths.
Our own understanding, fears, desires, worries can lead us astray. Afterall, the heart is deceitfully wicked, who can know it? The litmus test is this, does the answer from the Lord line up with God’s word? Do you know God’s word well enough to answer this question? This is one of the things I love about the Bible, is things are black and white. There is not a lot of gray. Spend time reading God’s word as well as praying and fasting. I am not saying just spend a few minutes here and there but periods of time seeking the Lord.
Third, do you have peace? John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. The peace God provides to his followers is a different kind of peace. This peace is because we trust that God that he is in control of every one of our situations.
This peace can only be obtained through time in prayer and communication with God. Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Are you bringing all your decisions to the Lord? What is He saying to you?
The challenge is this, quiet all the noise around you and listen for the Lord.
