December 1st, 2020
Text: Isaiah 6:8a
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ (NRSV)
How does one actually hear the voice of God calling? I have asked that question often during my journey as a Christian. There are so many things that call to us. Living in a culture that is characterized by materialism and commercialism, we are inundated with voices that call to us.
These voices tell us that we are only successful if we use this product or that product. We are only desirable if we use this cologne or that perfume. We are only intelligent if we read this book or that book. We are only worthy if we live in this neighborhood or that neighborhood.
Not only do we hear the competing calls of manufacturers who want to shape our lives by their product lines for the sole reason of lining their pockets with money but, we also here our own voice that may try to deceive us into believing that it is God speaking to us within our own thoughts.
As I have wrestled with the question of how to recognize the voice of God, I have realized that the only way, is to know the character of God. Unless I know the essence of God, I will never be able to distinguish the voice of God amidst the noise of all the other voices. If I do not know the essence of God, I will be easily fooled by the voices that seek to take God’s place in my life and lead me off the narrow path to which God would direct my feet.
This is one reason why reading our Bibles is so important. Unless we hear the stories of God and have them firmly settled in our minds, we will never be able to know the character of God. God’s written word brings us into the knowledge of God and what is important to God. God’s Living Word, Jesus the Christ, shows us the true focus and passion of God’s love for us. It is only when we know God through his written word and the Living Word, that we will then be able to hear clearly the voice of God that calls to us.
Pray with me:
God, speak clearly into my life that I might live in ways that bring honor and glory to you. For I pray this in the name of the Living Word, Jesus the Christ. AMEN.
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ (NRSV)
How does one actually hear the voice of God calling? I have asked that question often during my journey as a Christian. There are so many things that call to us. Living in a culture that is characterized by materialism and commercialism, we are inundated with voices that call to us.
These voices tell us that we are only successful if we use this product or that product. We are only desirable if we use this cologne or that perfume. We are only intelligent if we read this book or that book. We are only worthy if we live in this neighborhood or that neighborhood.
Not only do we hear the competing calls of manufacturers who want to shape our lives by their product lines for the sole reason of lining their pockets with money but, we also here our own voice that may try to deceive us into believing that it is God speaking to us within our own thoughts.
As I have wrestled with the question of how to recognize the voice of God, I have realized that the only way, is to know the character of God. Unless I know the essence of God, I will never be able to distinguish the voice of God amidst the noise of all the other voices. If I do not know the essence of God, I will be easily fooled by the voices that seek to take God’s place in my life and lead me off the narrow path to which God would direct my feet.
This is one reason why reading our Bibles is so important. Unless we hear the stories of God and have them firmly settled in our minds, we will never be able to know the character of God. God’s written word brings us into the knowledge of God and what is important to God. God’s Living Word, Jesus the Christ, shows us the true focus and passion of God’s love for us. It is only when we know God through his written word and the Living Word, that we will then be able to hear clearly the voice of God that calls to us.
Pray with me:
God, speak clearly into my life that I might live in ways that bring honor and glory to you. For I pray this in the name of the Living Word, Jesus the Christ. AMEN.
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