How to discern the voice of God?
Good Morning Friend, We live in an era, where technology obtains new acceleration every year. Having said that, we all might know about the amazon Alexa that came into existence few years ago. A virtual assistant AI technology and is built on ASR (Automatic Speech Recognition). It is a voice technology that detect spoken sounds (voice), recognize them as words and responds to us when we want to know any information and to play songs, etc.
The reason for pointing this, so much the evolution is in existence to recognize the voice. Nevertheless, on the other side, we as a child of God are still struggling to discern the voice of God. Have you wondered why? Why aren’t we unable to hear God’s voice clearly? There is always a confusion and doubt whether this is from God or my own thoughts to make any decision. I once heard from a woman of God quoting this statement, which she understood from Henry blackaby during her interaction with him “The more you know God, the more clearly you hear him”. This is so true and which I personally experienced.
How we know more about Him? – It comes first from our willingness of heart. Are we ready to know more about Him? So many years of our life, we want Him to know our heart and desires. Can we do a shift paradigm from He knowing our hearts to we knowing His heart/voice? Is it possible to hear him? Yes!
We see in the scripture that God refers himself as Shepherd and we are His Sheep and we will be able to listen to his voice. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10: 27
Why God uses Sheep & Shepherd? During the patriarchal age, Shepherding
was a noble occupation. The people of Israel are well acquainted with the work
of a shepherd and the nature of the sheep. Hence, to relate to them easily He
would have used this reference. Sheeps are best known for their strong flocking
(herding) and following instinct. The
sheeps also know their master’s voice, will recognize clearly, and follows him after getting acquainted with their master. A shepherd's responsibility is the safety and welfare of the flock. The shepherd will graze
the animals, herding them to areas of good forage, and keeping a watchful eye
out for poisonous plants.
Most of the times, we can discern clearly the voice of God through his words (Bible). When we read and meditate a word, a situation, or a character from the word of God, it will just leaps up the page, directs us, and teaches us the way we should follow. Do we get this discernment immediately? May be not, it requires an effort from us. When we start to get closer, spend time with Him regularly, willing to know his heart for us, get acquainted with his presence, we should be able to recognize his voice as the sheep recognizes his master voice.
The other means that we recognize His heart for us is through the pastor's or a man/woman of God when they preach or during worship. The thing is they also preach from the word of God. Holy Spirit who lives inside of us reminds us, convicts us, directs us in the way we should follow.
We see in the scripture, David was called a man after God’s own heart 1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22: “God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do”.
When it is possible for David, is it not doable for us?
Let us cultivate the habit to hear the voice of God!
Have a blessed day!
In Christ alone
Justina Stephen
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