HEARING GOD SPEAK?

There are three instances in the New Testament where God speaks in an audible voice.  Let's check them out:

FIRST, JESUS' BAPTISM - Matthew 3:17

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water.  At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.  And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love;  with him I am well pleased."  

Most of us are familiar with this incident.  Some question that God may have just been speaking to Jesus.  But the context makes it clear that God is speaking to the people ABOUT His Son.

SECOND, JESUS' TRANSFIGURATION - Matthew 17:5/Luke 9:35/II Peter 1:17-18

Matthew 17:2,5   There he was transfigured before them.  His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light...a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love;  with him I am well pleased.  Listen to him!"  

Peter James and John's response is significant:  ...they fell to the ground, terrified. 

Peter later testifies:  "We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain."

THIRD, JESUS' PREDICTION OF HIS DEATH - John 12:28

(Jesus speaking) "Father, glorify your name!"  Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."  

Again, the people responded:  The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered;  others said an angel had spoken to him.  Jesus said, "This voice was for your benefit, not mine."  

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I met a man while leading the New Middletown church who told me of hearing God's audible voice.  He was a humble man who was physically handicapped and the father of two of our attenders.  He attended regularly in his wheel chair and often wept as I preached.  He was quiet and only in the privacy of his home did he share his story.

He had been living in the Washington, D.C. area and was driving in his panel truck on the beltway one day when God audibly spoke to him.  It transformed his life from that day forward!  Interesting, no one thought of him as a great Christian.  He didn't turn into a dynamic evangelist.  He didn't become wealthy and successful.  But he exhibited a humble, quiet charm that was only evident to those who took the time to get to know him.  

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The Old Testament reveals God as One who spoke to people!  

Exodus 33:11  -  The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend.

Then, there's the wonderful story of Elijah.  He had a powerful experience on Mt. Carmel and won a spiritual victory over the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah (I Kings 18:16-40).  However, immediately after this spiritual high, Queen Jezebel threatened his life and Elijah fled to the wilderness.  Gradually, God directed him to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God.  There, Elijah hid in a cave.  Once settled,

The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."  

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. 

Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  

Then, of course, there's the infamous incident of God speaking to the prophet, Balaam, THROUGH THE MOUTH OF HIS DONKEY!!!!  [Exodus 22:21-41]

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One of the hardest concepts I have tried to teach through the years is about God speaking to us.   He has never spoken to me in an audible voice - yet He has spoken to me on countless occasions!  We've seen in this study that God is CREATIVE and will go to great extent to get our attention and communicate His messages.  

His primary ways of speaking:

1. THROUGH WHAT HE HAS ALEARDY SAID IN HIS WORD!  God has given us a written book of guidance and inspiration.  If we neglect it, it's to our detriment.  [See II Timothy 3:16]

2. THROUGH MEDITATION.  Not eastern mysticism or yoga.  Through being quiet before the Lord and listening for that gentle whisper that Elijah heard.  

3. THROUGH PRAYER.  It's a dialogue - not a monologue!  Too often, we deliver our messages and then get up and run into our day without giving Him a chance to respond!

4. THROUGH OTHERS.  I Corinthians 12:7-11 speaks of special spiritual gifts that reside in believers for the benefit of the body of Christ.  Two of these are:  the message of wisdom and the message of knowledge!  

5. THROUGH NATURE.  Romans 1:20 - For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

6. THROUGH WORSHIP.  Psalm 22:3 tells us (KJV) God inhabits (lives in) the praises of His people.  A called and trained pastor's messages offer insight, correction and direction!  Music moves us on several levels;  intellectual and emotional.

I'm sure there are other ways that He speaks, too.  God has consistently used books to inspire and correct me;  over and over I've realized that He had me reading a certain book at a specific time.  He is CREATIVE and will go to great extents to get your attention and call you to Himself!  

Just remember:  The Lord is your shepherd!  He leads you!  He guides you!  Even when you walk through the valleys, He is with you!  He comforts you!  He provides for you!  He restores you!  Give Him thanks!