"And he said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke to pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.
And after the fire the sound of a low whisper."
1 Kings 19: 11-12
'Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, 'Here I am!' and he ran to Eli. ...Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him."
1 Samuel 3: 4, 7.
"By wise guidance you can wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory."
Proverbs 24: 6
How do we hear God's still small voice? How do we hear "a sound of a low whisper?" Are we like Samuel, who did not yet know the Lord('s voice), and the word of the Lord has not yet been revealed?
Even more fundamental, does the Lord still speak and lead in today's world? Is God's word His only means of leading?
I have wrestled with these questions for years. I believe that many well meaning Christians have come to different conclusions. Here is my conclusion:
The Holy Spirit still leads us, guides us,
and can work in our hearts and minds
to make us know God's will.
God's word is complete, but His Spirit is still alive and well.
The problem is that many of us have no practice nor experience in hearing God's voice.
Thus, we are like Samuel. We have not really learned how to "hear" the word of the Lord.
How does God lead and direct? How do we hear God's still small voice?
First, we should be reading, reflecting, and thinking about God's word. I am constantly amazed at how many folks who profess faith who don't daily read God's word. If this is you, let me encourage you to start. Read the Psalms daily. Start with just one or two. The Psalms were and are the prayer book for God's people. As you slowly read, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand it. Take time to read and reflect.
I promise you that you will be amazed how God's word jumps off the page and addresses the questions and concerns of your life. I can't tell you how many times a passage will stick in my mind, then later in the day it becomes clear why.
God's still small voice speaks through His Word.
Second, God often speaks through people. Some are believers and some are unbelievers. All are created in His image. I have found that folks will often say the strangest and most pointed things. As they speak, my conscience practically yells, "Pay attention!" Then, another person will affirm the same idea. Weird right?
When this happens, I often pray and ask God about it. I ask Him, "What are you trying to say?" I ask for ears to hear and for a heart that can respond aright. I can not tell you how many times this has happened and I then get an idea in my head that I cannot let go.
I wish this answered all our questions. The problem is that we live in a fallen world and we are fallen people. How do we avoid having such an idea being just our will, our preferences, and our desires?
When this happens, I often pray and ask God about it. I ask Him, "What are you trying to say?" I ask for ears to hear and for a heart that can respond aright. I can not tell you how many times this has happened and I then get an idea in my head that I cannot let go.
God's still small voice speaks through people.
I wish this answered all our questions. The problem is that we live in a fallen world and we are fallen people. How do we avoid having such an idea being just our will, our preferences, and our desires?
Here are several safe-guards at this point that I have learned.
1.) God never will lead us in ways that are contrary to His revealed will. He does not lead us into sin.
2.) God's wisdom is found in many godly counselors. Particularly if it is a major decision, seek the wisdom of folks who know you. Ask them to pray and listen to what they think. The bigger the decision, the longer you should take to determine if this is really God speaking.
3.) Hearing God's leading is a process of growth. The closer we are in our relationship with God, the better we can hear His leading voice. So, if you are not hearing any prompting of the Spirit, start at the beginning. Repent and believe the gospel. As for God's Spirit to lead.
4.) When you hear God's leading and become convinced it is really God, don't resist but do it. The ultimate confirmation comes as you walk in faith.
1.) God never will lead us in ways that are contrary to His revealed will. He does not lead us into sin.
2.) God's wisdom is found in many godly counselors. Particularly if it is a major decision, seek the wisdom of folks who know you. Ask them to pray and listen to what they think. The bigger the decision, the longer you should take to determine if this is really God speaking.
3.) Hearing God's leading is a process of growth. The closer we are in our relationship with God, the better we can hear His leading voice. So, if you are not hearing any prompting of the Spirit, start at the beginning. Repent and believe the gospel. As for God's Spirit to lead.
4.) When you hear God's leading and become convinced it is really God, don't resist but do it. The ultimate confirmation comes as you walk in faith.
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