“The sheep recognize his voice and come to him…
they follow him because they know his voice.” John 10v3,4
“My sheep listen to my voice…” John 10v27
“Call to me and I will answer you…” Jeremiah 33v3
Does God still speak?
Can we actually hear Him for ourselves?
Does He have anything to say about our everyday lives?
Let’s go back to The Garden where we see what the world was meant to look like.
In the garden, Adam and Eve heard God walking and they had conversations with Him. (Genesis 3v8-19) Not just God talking to them or at them, but back and forth conversations with Him. He would ask, they would respond. His kids would hear His voice.
It’s how it was always meant to be.
Then, sin broke that perfect communion and only certain people had the privilege of hearing God’s voice.
In the Old Testament God only spoke to Prophets, Kings, and Priests. He interacted with EVERYONE (like the cloud that led the Israelites through the desert) but He only actually spoke to those certain people.
But then, Jesus died and rose and broke that terrible curse.
Now we get to live in the reality of the New Testament. 1 Peter tells us we are ALL priests. (1 Peter 2v9) And you know what that means. It was priests that got to hear God’s voice one on one in that secret, holy place. Now we are ALL invited into that privilege. No exceptions. We ALL get to hear what He has to say. We can boldly enter the throne room, where He is, for ourselves. Not through a pastor or an expert or some extra qualified person. Just Him, directly to us.
All through the Old Testament we see God talking, or communicating, with His people…
Through an angel to Abraham. (Genesis 22v11-18)
Through a dream to Daniel. (Daniel 2v19)
Through an audible voice to Samuel. (1 Samuel 3v4-14)
Through a burning bush to Moses. (Exodus 3v4-22)
Through a donkey to Balaam. (Numbers 22v28)
Through multiple visions to Ezekiel and many of the Prophets. (Ezekiel 1-18)
ALL THE TIME GOD IS INTERACTING WITH AND TALKING TO HIS KIDS.
He’s said it all along. “Call to Me and I will answer.” (Jeremiah 33v3) Not might or maybe but will. You can expect to hear from Him.
Then we come to the New Testament and God’s still talking to his kids in different avenues.
To both Mary and Joseph through an angel in a dream. (Luke 1v26-38, Matthew 1v20,21)
To Zechariah through an angel. (Luke 1v11-20)
To Cornelius and Peter in a vision. (Acts 10)
To Paul in a vision. (Acts 18v9)
Jesus says:
“…the sheep recognize his voice and come to him… they know his voice.” John 10v3-5
“My sheep listen to my voice…” (John 10v27)
“He who belongs to God hears what God says.” John 8v47
Isn’t it interesting that God refers to us over and over in relational terms?
As sheep, as His Bride, as His children, as His friend. Relationships require two-way interaction. He made no mistake in how he refers to us.
He is eager to talk to you and with you. Continuous, regular communication with our Good Father is meant to be our normal.
Not only through Scripture, though obviously His Word is powerful and true and absolutely His voice to us. E-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e in the Bible God shows up, talks to His kids, directs His kids, gives insight and wisdom, strategy and direction.
HE *LOVES* TO TALK TO US.
He loves to talk to YOU.
We have to stop assuming it’s HARD to hear Him.
We are His kids and we were hardwired to hear Him.
It’s how it was always meant to be.
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