The Voice of God

Imagine actually hearing the voice of God! Moses seems to accept this as a normal occurrence. And, in fact, it is normal for Moses. The words “the Lord said to Moses” appears 138 times in the Old Testament, the words “the Lord said,” 290 times. God wasn’t silent then, and he’s not silent today. Even though he might not speak audibly, God still has much to say to us.

has the Lord ever spoken to you? (John 14:26, 1John 2:27) What are some ways the Holy Spirit might communicate with you? And how do you know if the voice is God’s?

The Bible is the chief way the Spirit speaks and is the test for all the other voices that claim to be God’s. It is “living and active” (Heb 4:12). It tells us who God is and who we are. What particular insight has it given you lately about God or about yourself?

The Holy Spirit sometimes spoke directly to Paul; however, other times he used people to guide Paul (Act 21:10-11). Has God ever seemed to use someone to guild you? Describe what happened. As you look back, do you think the guidance passes the test of agreement with the Scriptures? Why or why not?

The Spirit sometimes speaks through visions and dreams. Peter learned an important lesson through a vision (Acts 10:9-20). Have you ever had a dream or a vision that you felt was from God? What was the dream or vision like? What did it reveal to you? As you look back, do you think the dream or vision passes the test of agreeing with the Scriptures? Why or why not?

The Holy Spirit sometimes uses circumstances to communicate with people. God used Esther’s circumstances to save his people. When have you felt that God used your circumstances to speak to you? Looking back do you think your interpretation of the circumstances agree with Scripture’s teachings? Why or why not?

The Spirit can put thoughts in people’s minds. He put the plans for the temple into David’s mind (1 Ch 28:12,19). Have you ever had plans, ideas or mental impressions that you felt were from God? Describe them. As you look back on them, do you think your ideas were keeping with Scripture? Why or Why not?

God is a person. He wants to have a relationship with you. A good relationship requires communication. In other words, he may be speaking but are you listening? And if you’re listening, are you testing the voice to see if it’s God’s?

Enjoying God through the Word

What should you do if you think you hear God speaking but you’re not sure? Try to test a mental impression to see if it is from the Lord (1 John 4:1-3). A word from God will always (1) agree with the Bible. He will not contradict himself. A word from God will also (2) be consistent with Christ’s character. If you are a believer in Christ, you have the Holy Spirit in you and you should (3) sense agreement with a message that’s truly from God. Ask yourself: Am I fixing my spiritual eyes on Jesus, or have my own wishes tainted the impression? Am I obeying Scripture, or am I being deceived?

Enjoying God through Experience

During your prayer time, listen for the Lord to speak to your heart, perhaps through a Bible verse, a song, a mental impression or a reaction of some kind. You may sense a response in yourself of faith, awe, peace, praise or healing. The Spirit speaks to the core of your being, filling that deep place in you – that place no one else can reach.

Meeting a Fearsome God

Thunder and lightning, a thick cloud, smoke, loud trumpeting and then the voice of God. The Israelites experience all this when God descends to the top of Mount Sinai (Ex 19:16-19). They tremble “with fear”. Image the crying and the chaos as mothers call for their children and as families huddle together. They cower to God’s fearsome presence , expecting death.

Have you experienced the immensity of God’s power, majesty and holiness? Few people have and few want to. It’s much more pleasant to think about the beautiful, peaceful, loving face of God than his mightiness, holiness and power. Does God want us to be afraid of him?

What distinction does Moses make between being afraid of God and fearing God (EX 20:20)?

If fearing God is not the same bas being afraid of God, what does it mean to “fear God”?

What are the benefits of fearing God (PS 25:14; 31:19, 34:9, Pr 14:26-27)?

What are the consequences of not fearing God (Jer 5:21-25)? The Israelites put their trust in other Gods, in human strength, in power and in wealth. Have you put your trust in something or someone other than God?

To fear God is to acknowledge his holiness and power, to respect and honor him and to stand in awe of him. Those who rebel against God should be afraid of him. Their rebellion incurs his anger (PS90: 7-11). But if you are his child, God does not want you to be afraid of him.

Enjoying God through the word:

Read Exodus 3:1-6. Moses’ first encounter with God terrifies him. however, as their relationship becomes more intimate, God speaks to Moses “face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Ex 33:11). Later Moses boldly asks God, “Show me your glory” (Ex 33:18). God then comes down in the cloud and stands there with Moses, proclaiming that he is “the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness” (Ex 34: 5-7). As Moses comes to know God more intimately, he is less afraid and more fearful – that is, awed by God’s holiness.

Are you afraid of God? Or do you fear him? God desires an intimate relationship with you. If you want to see his face, you can be certain that one day your desire will be realized. (Rev 22:4)

Enjoying God through Experience:

The Israelites, prepare themselves for meeting God by consecrating themselves and washing their clothes (Ex 19:10) Purity is necessity in the presence of holy God. you are made pure through Jesus’ blood (Heb 13:11-12; 1Jn 1:7). He is your righteousness (1 Co 2:30).

Use the Scriptures (as as Psalm 99:1-5) to express your adoration to God. Write your own psalm of praise, or sing a song to God in order to release your feelings of love for him. As you draw near to God, he will draw near to you (Jas 4:8). The time you spend with him is time like no other because he is like no other (Jer 10:6-7). If you are afraid, ask God to show himself to you as your loving and compassionate friend. The Holy Spirit will be your helper as you yield to God, learn to trust him and begin to enjoy his presence.