Hope FirstSample

HEARING GOD

As you look throughout Scripture, it is amazing to see how the Lord spoke to His prophets. Often, some may wonder if the Lord still speaks to us so clearly. The answer is yes, He still does. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.” This reveals to us that the God who spoke to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and Elijah can speak to us as well. The truth is, the Lord is always speaking to our hearts, but we are not always tuned in. He gave us the Holy Spirit to help us, comfort us, teach us, speak to us, and guide us. We hear His voice when we spend time communicating (praying and listening) with God. 

Some people describe hearing His voice as a “deep knowing.” They hear it and feel it deep in their core, that God is speaking. We also hear God's voice through revelation and conviction. Revelation means He reveals a new understanding of something we didn’t understand before. Conviction means He reveals to us something that we should change in our lives. The more time we spend in His Presence, the more we know Him. The more we know Him, the more we recognize His voice.

There was a Chick-fil-A manager that had a unique way of training his employees on how to recognize counterfeit money. He gave them a large stack of legitimate dollar bills with only one counterfeit. They would flip through that stack and learn what a real dollar bill felt like. As soon as they felt something other than the authentic currency, they stopped and recognized it. The same is true for understanding God’s voice. When we spend so much time hearing and reading God's Word, which is His truth, we will know it well. And anytime the enemy (the accuser) speaks a lie, we’ll recognize it and go back to what we know is true. 

We can be more in tune with God’s voice by setting a meeting place with the Lord every day. During that time, don’t just turn off your phone; turn off your thoughts and come before Him with a heart of gratitude. Read His Word and learn to sit and listen in His Presence. Don’t wait for a crisis to seek the Lord, seek Him now. Remember, God never changes. He is always speaking, desiring to guide you on the best pathway for your life. And He is always listening. He is waiting for you today. 

PRAYER 

King Jesus,

Thank You for Your Holy Spirit that leads me. Thank You for never changing — for always speaking to me and listening to me. Search my heart and reveal Yourself to me every day. Forgive me for not giving You more of my time. Help me to put You first and place You at the center of my life in everything I do and say. I pray that You would open my eyes and ears to see and hear You more clearly. Teach me, Holy Spirit, speak to me today and direct my steps. I love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.