“I can’t hear you when you’re shouting.”  Have you ever said that to your small children? or anyone else for that matter?  On the surface this statement seems to be contradictory.  But it’s intent is to get the speaker to lower the volume so that their message can be more readily received.  Good advice for people of any age really.  Maybe that’s why God so often chooses to whisper to our hearts.  Even though His voice is booming thunder, He knows a whisper can be more effective than a shout.

The volume of our national dialogue has been louder than ever lately, actually deafening at times.  It’s hard to hear anyone clearly when everyone is shouting. And it’s hard to know who to listen to.  So many competing voices.  So many points of view.  Where do I turn?  To whom do I listen?  Psalm 25:4-5 says,

“Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.”

Proverbs 2:6-11 has more good advice for me when I am wondering where to turn to make sense of all I hear, when I am wondering whose voice to heed.

“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds victory in store for the upright, He is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for He guards the course of the just and protects the way of His faithful ones.  Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path.  For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”

I need all those things – understanding, wisdom, knowledge, discretion – I want to understand what is right and just and fair.  I want to choose a good path.  But how can I know which path to choose?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”   (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I have to let my Heavenly Father lead me.  I have to listen for His voice above every other voice.  In order to listen, I have to be still.

“Be still and Know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  (Psalm 46:10)

“Give ear and come to Me; hear Me, that your soul may live.”  (Isaiah 55:3)

Why do I want to hear my Heavenly Father’s voice so desperately?  Because that’s where I will find the answers that I seek.

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”   (Colossians 2:2-3)

Christ has all wisdom and knowledge.  I don’t need to look anywhere else or listen to all the other voices surrounding me, wanting to lead me in many different directions.  My Heavenly Father says,

“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”  (Jeremiah 33:3)

when my God answers me, I pray I am found listening for His voice, that no matter how loud the world is shouting  – I will hear His whispered words of life.

sincerely,       Grace Day