Inquiring Minds Want to Know
Have you followed the Presidential campaign trail of, “He said…” “She said…”
“Liar.” “No, he lied.” “No, she lied.” Sometimes it’s hard to know the truth. We hear one thing, then another. But, does it have to be that way when we’re listening to God? Do we have to be confused about His voice? Is He still speaking or is He silent?
Instead of scratching our head and wondering, we can open our Bibles and find the answers. We learn that God has spoken and is still speaking.
God Speaks
God Speaks to Us through Creation. Psalm 19, Rom 1:20
God Speaks to Us through the Prophets. Hebrews 1:1-2, Is 45:19
God Speaks to Us through teachers. Acts 10:34
God Speaks to Us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Matthew 17:5
God Speaks to Us through the Holy Spirit. John 13:33
In my prior column, we addressed the first key to discerning God’s voice: LEARN His Voice by studying the Bible. Scripture is God breathed, inspired. It’s the breath of heaven put on paper. Consume it. As He breathed it out, breathe it in.
“But in everyday decisions, how can I know it’s God guiding me and not just my thoughts?” we may ask.
KEY 2 in Discerning God’s Voice: INQUIRE If it’s God Speaking
We have examples in Scripture of people asking God for confirmation if it is Him speaking; His voice guiding them. Following are a few people with inquiring minds, who checked the “voice” they were hearing.
Abraham’s Servant
In Genesis 24, Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac. The servant felt the full weight of responsibility in finding the “right” wife for Isaac. This was no small assignment. Genesis 24:12-14 records the servant’s prayer. “O Lord, the God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show lovingkindness to my master Abraham. Behold, I am standing by the spring, and the daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water; now may it be that the girl to who, I say, ‘Please let down your jar so that I may drink,’ and who answers, ‘Drink, and I will water your camels also’ – may she be the one whom have appointed for Your servant Isaac; and by this I will know that You have shown lovingkindness to my master.”
Note – the servant is asking God to lead him to select the right bride and asking Him to confirm it so He will know for sure it’s God’s choice. You probably know the rest of the story. If you don’t, you can read it in Genesis 24:15ff. It’s a beautiful account of God answering a servant’s prayer. Does God care who we marry? Yes! Does God care about our commitments? Yes! Does God guide people today? Yes!
Notice the servant’s response to God “leading” him to the right bride. Genesis 24:26, “Then the man bowed low and worshipped the Lord.” Do you think there was celebrating and dancing in his heart? Yes.
Point: God Cares
He cares who we marry, what job we take and commitments we make. He is a loving God who has equipped us with spiritual ears to listen and eyes to watch for His leading.
Gideon, Peter, Ananias, Philip, the examples abound of men and women like us who discerned and followed God’s voice. We can LEARN His voice by studying the Scriptures. We can INQUIRE for confirmation.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You created us to commune with us. Open our ears to Your Word and leading. In Jesus’s name, amen.
“I never journaled before, but now, it has changed the way I pray. I feel closer to Him.” Prayer Journal Participant