Hearing God

Recently some friends were discussing the topic of hearing God. During prayer, how do we know the answer we seek is from God, ourselves or Satan?

Good question!

I know a lot of Jesus-lovers who say they've never heard Him speak to them. My guess is He has, they just don't know it.

But the older we become in our faith, the more we should be able to discern His voice. There are a lot of books written on hearing God. But the best one is the Bible. There are a lot of verses on hearing God.

First, though, we have to believe He wants to speak to us. Too many Christians, even pastors, claim God doesn't speak to them, and why should He? We are lowly, sinful humans and He's God of the Universe. He doesn't owe us anything.

Okay, yeah, good point. But that sort of thinking completely nullifies the Cross. If we are lowly, unworthy, sinful humans, why did Jesus bother to hang on the Cross? Endure the shame? Take the beating and humiliation?

Because He LOVES us and part of the plan is for mankind to be in relationship, fellowship with the Uncreated God. This my, friends, is an amazing, wonderful mystery!

So, let's go back to the premise of God wanting to talk to us.

We have to go no farther than Genesis to see God's heart for His creation, especially man. Genesis tells us God fellowshipped with Adam in the "cool of the day."

Song of Solomon is devoted to the heart of the believer, a picture of God's love for us individually as well as corporately. "Draw me after you and let us run together."

God created man for fellowship with Him. So why would He not want to speak to us? I know every friend I have, speaking is part of the deal. Sharing our hearts, our desires, our wants and needs.

We see Jesus, the God-Man, desiring the fellowship and comfort of His friends in the Garden before His betrayal.

That same God-Man now sits risen from the dead at the right hand of God the Father. Still desiring fellowship with us.

Yes, we are weak. Yes, we sin. But if we desire Him, desire to live Godly, say Yes to obedience, He draws us near.

Amos 3:7 says, "Surely the Lord does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets."

In today's world, that's me and you! Does God need to reveal His secrets? No! But I believe He's looking for hearts who are tender and yielded, believing and longing to stand in His counsel.

Don't know about you, but I want to be His friend, to stand in His counsel.

Tomorrow, part two on hearing God.

"He's not the distant God of a Bette Midler song."