As we get older our hearing seems to decrease. We turn up the TV, ask others to repeat themselves and the worst part is misunderstanding what was really said.
My father worked around heavy equipment all his life and I really don’t think he ever wore ear protection. It was evident that he had a hearing problem long before he was fitted for hearing aids.
I know when we spent our summers in Iowa for several years working around airplanes I had earplugs hanging around my neck and used them every time I went outside. The roar of the airplane engines was deafening, seriously.
When it comes to hearing what the Lord is saying we often need to have a check-up. His voice doesn’t come booming through a microphone or blasted from an arena sound system. Most often, it comes as the still small voice that we hear speaking from within our hearts.
“ Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go, stand in front of me on the mountain. I, the Lord, will pass by you.”[a] Then a very strong wind blew. The wind caused the mountains to break apart. It broke large rocks in front of the Lord. But that wind was not the Lord. After that wind, there was an earthquake. But that earthquake was not the Lord. 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire. But that fire was not the Lord. After the fire, there was a quiet, gentle voice.” I Kings 19:11-12 CEV
Elijah had received instruction from the Lord on many occasions. In fact, these verses start out telling us that the Lord was speaking to Him. How did he know that is was God? I think the answer is a simple one. He and the Lord were friends, Elijah knew what God sounded like and when God got quiet and spoke softly Elijah knew He has something important to say.
There are so many examples in the Bible of people who heard God speak to them. Some were obedient to what they were told, others were not.
Jesus said that He is our shepherd and as His sheep we hear His voice. The Pharisees were demanding that Jesus give proof of who He was and by what authority He was able to minister to the people.
“Jesus answered, “I told you already, but you did not believe. I do miracles in my Father’s name. These miracles show who I am. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give my sheep eternal life. They will never die, and no one can take them out of my hand.” John 10:25-28 ERV
We can hear God’s voice through someone’s preaching. They will say something that resonates so strongly we feel it was spoken directly to us. At other times it seems God is speaking an important message to us by an inner instinct.
Have you ever said, “I knew I shouldn’t have done that, I knew it wasn’t going to work right”? Or maybe you have used the phrase “that just dawned on me”. While others may account these thoughts to be intuition or premonitions we can know that the Lord is leading us through these inner words.
“But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you.
27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.” John 14:26-27 ERV
God has given us the Holy Spirit to lead us and to teach us what we need to know. But not every thought that comes into our minds is from God. No. There will be condemning thoughts, thoughts of fear and deception. These don’t come from God.
The Apostle Paul tells us how to know that God is speaking to us.
“Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. 9 And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:8-9 NLV
I think it’s so interesting that peace is an underlaying element in both these verses. When the Holy Spirit speaks he will speak words that bring us peace and when we keep our minds focused on things that good and pure we will also have peace.
Like the cartoon above we are to filter our hearing so that we only receive those things that the Lord is speaking to us. Will the Lord ever correct us or give us instruction that might be hard to swallow? Sure He will, He loves us. His words will never be condemning. His words will be filled with love and He expects ours to be too.
“Also, let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. Be thankful. 16 Let Christ’s word with all its wisdom and richness live in you. Use psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to teach and instruct yourselves about God’s kindness. Sing to God in your hearts. 17 Everything you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 GW
Spend time listening to the Lord today. Let His words bring you peace!