At times, I complain that God does not talk to me. For some reason, I cannot seem to hear His voice. If I did hear His voice,
what would it sound like amidst all the clamor that I have rolling around in my head? Which “voice” do I listen to? Many others fuss about the same problem. Yahweh absolutely does communicate with us. The problem is in our listening. Hopefully, some ideas in this article will help you to distinguish the voice of Yahweh to put an end to the conundrum.
In the Old Testament, Yahweh speaks in unique ways. With Moses, the voice from a bush, that appeared to burn but did not actually burn, is very well known (Exodus 3). Balaam, a prophet, was not listening to Yahweh, and so Yahweh had Balaam’s donkey “talk” to him (Numbers 22). Nathan, one of King David’s prophets, went to him to tell him a story. The record was about a man killing his neighbor’s only lamb. King David was very angry at the one who did this terrible thing, and the prophet said, “You are the man” (2 Samuel 12:7). Also, a voice from heaven told Abraham not to sacrifice his son, Issac, at the last minute (Genesis 22:11- 14). Thankfully, Abraham was a good listener and obeyed. These records are just a few where Yahweh spoke to His people.
Sometimes Yahweh used angels, situations, animals, or weather to be able to be heard by His people. Whether Israel or individuals listened was due to their own free-will choice. Yahweh was present and making Himself known. The people had only to listen, have faith, and obey for Yahweh’s results to come. Talking donkeys or bushes are not needed today because we have holy spirit which we receive when we accept Jesus as the Son of Yahweh.
Since the day of Pentecost, when holy spirit was poured out upon those who believe on Jesus as the Messiah (Acts 2), we have Yahweh’s way of communing. One of the most important ways to understand how Yahweh inspires us is to read and meditate on Scripture. Through the process of deeply focusing on the Word, we will be inspired.
Psalm 138:2 KJV: I will worship toward thy holy temple and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
The Bible is Yahweh’s Word; His rule book; His story of the ages. We can know all that pertains to life and godliness from Scripture.
2 Peter 1:3: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Meditating on Scripture is to think about the words in the verse while asking Yahweh to reveal to you what it is that He wants you to understand about the verse or section of verses. Having deep, quiet thoughts about Scripture ensures it is always there when we need to be reminded or fortified by it.
Joshua 1:8: This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
We are told in Ephesians 6:17 that the Word is the sword of the Spirit, and it is very sharp and will let us know exactly the right
knowledge and action at the right time. The spirit within us gives us the ability to think and act on the Scripture we know. When we are supported by Yahweh through the holy spirit, we can understand all things we are to learn. Too many say they do not understand what they read. Comprehension comes by reading carefully and asking Yahweh to reveal His truths. Asking a friend who has more experience in reading and studying the Scriptures is also helpful.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15: The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things but is himself to be judged by no one.
Another way to hear from Yahweh is to have a quality prayer life. This aspect of Christian life is often talked about, but we nod our heads in affirmation, then go about our lives and do little about it. Prayer that is focused and purposeful will be a tremendous boon to your ability to hear from Yahweh and Jesus. There are many books on prayer, but the best one to start with is the Scriptures. As you read them carefully, the verses will teach you how to pray and what your attitude should be while you pray. Jesus showed his disciples how to pray (Matthew 6:9-13), showed them by example to take time to pray, and to pray in every circumstance.
The Psalms are full of prayers of David, who had an incredible love relationship with Yahweh. The understanding that David
had throughout his life of his relationship with Yahweh is clearly expressed in the Psalms. David cried out, praised, questioned,
listened in silence, and worshipped in prayer. Jesus followed David’s example. The Gospels are rife with prayers of Jesus as are other inspired prayers in the church Epistles such as Ephesians and Colossians. We can begin with those prayers and then add to them our own specific praise and worship.
One of the hardest things to do in prayer is to be silent and wait on Yahweh to inspire us. It seems, with Americans anyway, that we need to have every sound bite filled. It is hard to just sit in silence and wait. It does take practice and is very, very uplifting when we do. Find time during the week to be alone, quiet, and thoughtful about building your relationship.
As we are praying, it is important to pay attention to what truths from the Word you are thinking, or a project that comes to mind. I know I must write things down or I forget, so it is a helpful response to these urgings to write them down. Pray about
those thoughts, and ask Yahweh for understanding and wisdom concerning them.
Yahweh will speak to individuals any way He chooses. He knows you intimately. He understands how you listen and how you receive knowledge. He speaks to us through His Bible. We understand truths He wants us to know by way of the spirit of God in us. As we tune out the static of fear, mistrust, doubt, and worry, we will be able to begin distinguishing the promptings He gives.
Yahweh always wants to commune with us. As Adam and Eve originally lived in the Garden of Eden, Yahweh was able to have
communication with them unimpeded by evil and sin (Genesis 3). After the Fall, that was spoiled. Not until the coming of holy spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) was what was available in Eden available. When Yahweh wants to commune with us, we, by our free will choice, listen and obey.
The following is from Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby1:
1. Write down the verse or verses that God has
revealed to you.
2. Meditate on that verse.
3. Study the verse to immerse yourself in its meaning.
What is God revealing about Himself, His purposes, or
His ways?
4. Identify adjustments you need to make in your
personal life, your family, your church, and your work
so God will work this way with you.
5. Write a prayer response to God.
6. Make the necessary adjustments to God.
7. Watch to see how God may use that truth in your
life during the day.
“Understanding spiritual truth does not lead you to an encounter
with God; it is the encounter with God.”2
Let us end our time with this prayer from Ephesians 3. May you consider this and put focused attention to those points that Yahweh desires for you personally to receive, meditate on, and pray about for insights.
Ephesians 3:14: For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the
inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which
surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
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