Learning to Hear God's VoiceSample

God is speaking all the time. But in our faith journey, we can easily overlook what God says because of the simplicity of the message.

Some of the most powerful moments in Jesus’ life were summed up in just three words. At the start of His ministry, Jesus finds Simon Peter and Andrew fishing. His command changed their lives: “Come, follow me.” When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus rebukes the enemy with a simple phrase, “It is written”. When a man with leprosy comes to Jesus to ask if He will make him clean, Jesus says, “I am willing” and then heals him. While the disciples are freaked out by the wind and the rain, Jesus calms the storm in one moment saying, “Quiet! Be still.” Jesus, when He was on the cross, declares three of the most powerful words ever uttered, “It is finished.”

Some of the most profound statements we hear from Jesus are easy to remember because they are short: “Remain in Me”, “Love one another”, “Do not judge”, “Feed my sheep,” “Watch and pray”.

Listening for a short phrase is not a formula to measure whether God is speaking or not. Jesus spoke for three chapters non-stop in Matthew when delivering the sermon on the Mount. The entire Bible, all 66 books which are inspired by the Holy Spirit, is God speaking to us.

When it comes to hearing God's voice, it is God as the source that is important. Never underestimate the power of what God is saying because of the length of the words. And never discount who or what God will use to speak to you! The vessel used or the length is not important.

So when the Holy Spirit whispers something to your heart, don’t overlook it just because it is simple. When a phrase is highlighted to you from the Bible, meditate and press in to hear His voice. When you receive a word of encouragement or a Scripture from a friend, listen to what God is saying.

Bigger is not always better. Longer is not always loftier. God knows best – let’s allow His words to change our lives.