Listening to Hear or Hearing to Listen?

When I was a newly saved, I wanted to “hear the voice of God” so bad. I would think “man, if I was really saved, I would hear His voice”. All my friends would say things like “God gave me this scripture when I was sad last week” or “God told me that I was going to be a Pastor when I grow up.” For me, I didn’t “hear” His voice, and so I thought there was something wrong with me. I started to ask my leaders what it sounded like when God spoke to them; almost none of them said it was a booming voice from Heaven. Most of them said it was like an impression or feeling to go read a scripture, or it would feel like comfort in making a decision or unexplainable peace when the real world around them was falling apart. In 1 Samuel 3, we see that a young guy named Samuel was hearing God the whole time in that story. Samuel heard God clearly 2 times, but it took him listening to the advice of a leader who had walked with God longer to truly understand what was going on.

QUESTION FOR TODAY:

When was the last time you asked for clarity from God on something He said? Have you asked an older Christian for advice about what God said?

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, thank You for every time You have spoken to me, even if I wasn’t listening. Lord, I pray that today You speak loudly to me. I pray that whether it is through scripture or through leaders, in a song or audibly; Jesus, I just want to hear You and obey. I love you Jesus! —— Amen.

TRY THIS:

When waiting for God to speak, try journaling your prayer, and then reading it back to yourself out loud.