HEARING GOD'S VOICE

2 Peter 1:16-21
16 We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased." 18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with Him on the sacred mountain. 19 And we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

We all want evidence that supports our faith in Jesus. One proof we'd like sometimes is an audible word from God--a voice out of the sky saying something like, "I'm here and everything will be all right." That's because people we love talk audibly to us every day, so we'd like the One who loves us most to talk to us in a voice we can hear.

It appears that only a small number of followers of God have ever heard directly from Him in a voice that could be picked up by the human ear. Moses heard the voice of God a number of times, but we have no record of his hearing it for the first 80 years of his life. Yet through all those years of God's silence, Moses didn't abandon the faith of his fathers. What an example that is for us.

Consider this: We're surrounded by material evidence of God's existence in the created world every day. But from the creation, we know mainly of His eternal power and His awesome nature (Romans 1:20). We don't get personal messages there. We also have the Bible--the inspired Word of God--but it's a written message.

So do we ever get any kind of audible messages from God? Yes we do: from His people as they are led by His Holy Spirit--speaking truth in accordance with His written Word.

In the apostle Paul's letters, we're told that the church is made up of people who are the body of Christ. That means they're aligned with Jesus' truth, and are reaching out as if He were here in the flesh today: touching, serving, speaking truthful words of encouragement, correction, and guidance to one another.

The next time a believer speaks to you--one who lives a solid life and has demonstrated godly wisdom based in God's Word--listen up! There may be some biblical truth you need to hear. --Dean Ohlman

DESTINATION POINTS

* How are other believers in Jesus the hands, feet, and voice of God to me?
* How can I be the voice of God to others?
* How often do my words serve a godly and eternal purpose?

LINKS
The Church We NeedWhat Does It Take To Follow Christ?God's Talking to You!

bottom line: My voice can bring God's message to others.

soul journey